A sharp concentration inequality with applications

We present a new general concentration-of-measure inequality and illustrate its power by applications in random combinatorics. The results find direct applications in some problems of learning theory.

Bicelles: new nano systems for skin applications

Bicellar systems are lipid nanostructures formed by long- and short-chained phospholipids dispersed in aqueoussolution. Because of their attractive combination of lipid composition, small size and morphological versatility, bicellesbecame new targets for skin research. Bicelles modify the skin biophysical parameters and modulate the skin barrier function acting as enhancers for drug penetration. Moreover, these aggregates have the ability to penetrate through the narrowintercellular spaces of the skin stratum corneum and to reinforce its lipid lamellae. Their structures allows for the incorporation of different molecules that can be carried through the skin layers. Theremarkable versatility of bicelles is their most important characteristic, which makes it possible their use in different fields.These aggregates represent new nanosystems for skin applications. In this work we provide an overview of the main properties ofbicelles and their effects on the skin.

Open Apps: Opening Teaching Experiences and Applications

The Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC) is an online university that makes extensive use of information and communication technologies to provide education. Ever since its establishment in 1995, the UOC has developed and tested methodologies and technological support services to meet the educational challenges posed by its student community and its teaching and management staff. The know-how it has acquired in doing so is the basis on which it has created the Open Apps platform, which is designed to provide access to open source technical applications, information on successful learning and teaching experiences, resources and other solutions, all in a single environment. Open Apps is an open, online catalogue, the content of which is available to all students for learning purposes, all IT professionals for downloading and all teachers for reusing.To contribute to the transfer of knowledge, experience and technology, each of the platform¿s apps comes with full documentation, plus information on cases in which it has been used and related tools. It is hoped that such transfer will lead to the growth of an external partner network, and that this, in turn, will result in improvements to the applications and teaching/learning practices, and in greater scope for collaboration.Open Apps is a strategic project that has arisen from the UOC's commitment to the open access movement and to giving knowledge and technology back to society, as well as its firm belief that sustainability depends on communities of interest.

JPEG standard uniform quantization error modeling with applications to sequential and progressive operation modes

In this paper we propose a method for computing JPEG quantization matrices for a given mean square error or PSNR. Then, we employ our method to compute JPEG standard progressive operation mode definition scripts using a quantization approach. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use a trial and error procedure to obtain a desired PSNR and/or definition script, reducing cost. Firstly, we establish a relationship between a Laplacian source and its uniform quantization error. We apply this model to the coefficients obtained in the discrete cosine transform stage of the JPEG standard. Then, an image may be compressed using the JPEG standard under a global MSE (or PSNR) constraint and a set of local constraints determined by the JPEG standard and visual criteria. Secondly, we study the JPEG standard progressive operation mode from a quantization based approach. A relationship between the measured image quality at a given stage of the coding process and a quantization matrix is found. Thus, the definition script construction problem can be reduced to a quantization problem. Simulations show that our method generates better quantization matrices than the classical method based on scaling the JPEG default quantization matrix. The estimation of PSNR has usually an error smaller than 1 dB. This figure decreases for high PSNR values. Definition scripts may be generated avoiding an excessive number of stages and removing small stages that do not contribute during the decoding process with a noticeable image quality improvement.

Towards secure mobile P2P applications using JXME

Mobile devices have become ubiquitous, allowing the integration of new information from a large range of devices. However, the development of new applications requires a powerful framework which simplifies their construction. JXME is the JXTA implementation for mobile devices using J2ME, its main value being its simplicity when creating peer-to-peer (P2P) applications on limited devices. On that regard, an issue that is becoming veryimportant in the recent times is being able to provide a security baseline to such applications. This paper analyzes the currentstate of security in JXME and proposes a simple security mechanism in order to protect JXME applications against a broad range of vulnerabilities.

Securing dynamic itineraries for mobile agent applications

In this paper we present a novel mechanism for the protection of dynamic itineraries for mobile agent applications. Itineraries that are decided as the agent goes are essential in complex applications based on mobile agents, but no approach has been presented until now to protect them. We have conceived a cryptographic scheme for shielding dynamic itineraries from tampering, impersonation and disclosure. By using trust strategically, our scheme provides a balanced trade-off between flexibility and security. Our protection scheme has been thought always bearing in mind a feasible implementation, and thus facilitates the development of applications that make use of it. An example application based on a real healthcare scenario is also presented to show its operation.

A Widely Used Machine Translation Service and its Migration to a Free/Open-Source Solution : the Case of Softcatalà

Softcatalà is a non-profit associationcreated more than 10 years ago to fightthe marginalisation of the Catalan languagein information and communicationtechnologies. It has led the localisationof many applications and thecreation of a website which allows itsusers to translate texts between Spanishand Catalan using an external closed-sourcetranslation engine. Recently,the closed-source translation back-endhas been replaced by a free/open-sourcesolution completely managed by Softcatalà: the Apertium machine translationplatform and the ScaleMT web serviceframework. Thanks to the opennessof the new solution, it is possibleto take advantage of the huge amount ofusers of the Softcatalà translation serviceto improve it, using a series ofmethods presented in this paper. In addition,a study of the translations requestedby the users has been carriedout, and it shows that the translationback-end change has not affected theusage patterns.

Growth and functionalization of carbon nanotubes on quartz filter for environmental applications

Background: Air pollution has become an important issue worldwide due to its adverse health effects. Among the different air contaminants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are liquids or solids with a high vapor pressure at room temperature that are extremely dangerous for human health. Removal of these compounds can be achieved using nanomaterials with tailored properties such as carbon nanotubes. Methods: Vertically-aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were successfully grown on quartz filters by means of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Furthermore, a plasma treatment was performed in order to modify the surface properties of the CNTs. The adsorption/desorption processes of three chlorinated compounds (trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and chloroform) on the CNTs were studied using mass spectrometry measurements with a residual gas analyzer. Results: The adsorption capability of the CNTs increased after functionalization of their surface with a water plasma treatment. In addition, it was found that the presence of aromatic rings, water solubility and polarity of the VOCs play an important role on the adsorption/desorption kinetics at the CNTs surface. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the applicability of CNTs deposited on quartz filters for the removal or selective detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The presence of aromatic rings in VOCs results in π -stacking interactions with a significant increase of their adsorption. On the other hand, it was found that CNTs surface interactions increase with water solubility and polarity of the VOC.

Deinking flotation of recycled linerboard for food packaging applications

Brown packaging linerboard, made entirely from recovered pulp, was subjected to deinking flotation for evaluating the possible improvements in its chemical, optical and mechanical properties. The increase in the rate of recovered paper utilisation, along with the tendency towards lower basis weights, in the packaging paper production, has created a growing need for the utilisation of secondary fibers of improved quality. To attain better quality fibers, flotation deinking of brown grades is being considered, along with the addition of primary fibers to recovered paper furnish. Numerous conducted studies, in which the flotation technology was used in the treatment of brown grades, support this idea. Most of them show that the quality of fibers is improved after flotation deinking, resulting in higher mechanical properties of the deinked handsheets and in lower amounts of chemical contaminants. As to food and human health safety, packaging paper has to meet specific requirements, to be classified as suitable for its direct contact with foods. Recycled paper and board may contain many potential contaminants, which, especially in the case of direct food contact, may migrate from packaging materials into foodstuffs. In this work, the linerboard sample selected for deinking was made from recycled fibers not submitted previously to chemical deinking flotation. Therefore, the original sample contained many noncellulosic components, as well as the residues of printing inks. The studied linerboardsample was a type of packaging paper used for contact with food products that are usually peeled before use, e.g. fruits and vegetables. The decrease in the amount of chemical contaminants, after conducting deinking flotation, was evaluated, along with the changes in the mechanical and optical properties of the deinked handsheets. Food contact analysis was done on both the original paper samples and the filter pads and handsheets made before and after deinking flotation. Food contact analysis consisted of migration tests of brightening agents, colorants, PCPs, formaldehydes and metals. Microbiological tests were also performed to determine the possible transfer of antimicrobial constituents

Population ageing and ICT: An exploratory review of technology innovation trough digital applications

The multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change produced by population ageing affects not only the quality of life of elderly people but also of our societies. Some dimensions of population ageing grow and expand over time (e.g. knowledge of the world events, or experience in particular situations), while others decline (e.g. reaction time, physical and psychological strength, or other functional abilities like reduced speed and tiredness). Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can help elderly to overcome possible limitations due to ageing. As a particular case, biometrics can allow the development of new algorithms for early detection of cognitive impairments, by processing continuous speech, handwriting or other challenged abilities. Among all possibilities, digital applications (Apps) for mobile phones or tablets can allow the dissemination of such tools. In this article, after presenting and discussing the process of population ageing and its social implications, we explore how ICTs through different Apps can lead to new solutions for facing this major demographic challenge.

Split message-based anonymity for JXTA applications

JXTA is an open peer-to-peer (P2P) protocols specification that, in its about 10 years of history, has slowly evolved to appeal to a broad set of applications. As part of this process,some long awaited security improvements have been included in the latest versions. However, under some contexts, even more advanced security requirements should be met, such as anonymity. Several approaches exist to deploy anonymity in P2P networks, but no perfect solution exists. Even though path-based approaches are quite popular, it is considered that, in dynamicgroups, using a split message-based one is better. In this work, we propose an anonymity service for JXTA using such approach. The proposal takes advantage JXTA's core services, in a manner so that it can be easily integrated to existing end applications and services.

Analytical challenges in breath analysis and its application to exposure monitoring

There is an increasing interest in the use of breath analysis for monitoring human physiology and exposure to toxic substances or environmental pollutants. This review focuses on the current status of the sampling procedures, collection devices and sample-enrichment methodologies used for exhaled breath-vapor analysis. We discuss the different parameters affecting each of the above steps, taking into account the requirements for breath analysis in exposure assessments and the need to analyze target compounds at sub-ppbv levels. Finally, we summarize the practical applications of exposure analysis in the past two decades

Micro- and nanostructuring of poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) surfaces, for biomedical applications, using polymer replication techniques

Here we investigate the formation of superficial micro- and nanostructures in poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) (PEN), with a view to their use in biomedical device applications, and compare its performance with a polymer commonly used for the fabrication of these devices, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The PEN is found to replicate both micro- and nanostructures in its surface, albeit requiring more forceful replication conditions than PMMA, producing a slight increase in surface hydrophilicity. This ability to form micro/nanostructures, allied to biocompatibility and good optical transparency, suggests that PEN could be a useful material for production of, or for incorporation into, transparent devices for biomedical applications. Such devices will be able to be autoclaved, due to the polymer's high temperature stability, and will be useful for applications where forceful experimental conditions are required, due to a superior chemical resistance over PMMA.