QoS support in satellite and wireless networks: study under the network simulator (NS-2)

Aquest projecte es basa en l'estudi de l'oferiment de qualitat de servei en xarxes wireless i satel·litals. Per això l'estudi de les tècniques de cross-layer i del IEEE 802.11e ha sigut el punt clau per al desenvolupament teòric d’aquest estudi. Usant el simulador de xarxes network simulator, a la part de simulacions es plantegen tres situacions: l'estudi de la xarxa satel·lital, l'estudi del mètode d'accés HCCA i la interconnexió de la xarxa satel·lital amb la wireless. Encara que aquest últim punt, incomplet en aquest projecte, ha de ser la continuació per a futures investigacions.

Despliegue y análisis de la cobertura de una red WiMAX basada en IEEE 802.16-2004

Aquest projecte tracta de l’estudi de la cobertura WiMAX basada en la variant 802.16-2004 en la que opera a 3.5 GHz en diferents escenaris d’un campus universitari. Primerament es realitza una introducció general a WiMAX i es defineixen els equips utilitzats. Posteriorment es comença a dur a terme un estudi de la cobertura WiMAX en diferents escenaris: indoor y outdoor per tal de poder extreure models empírics simplificats de path loss a partir de mesures realitzades amb els terminals WiMAX. Per últim, s’introdueix al projecte InterRural del Ministeri d'Indústria, Turisme i Comerç dut a terme durant els mesos Octubre 2007 - Març 2008 amb altres empreses col·laboradores: Telefònica, Hispasat, Gigle i Iber-X. La finalitat del projecte InterRural és comparar diferents tecnologies wireless de banda ample com alternatives per un bucle local ràdio de la última milla. En concret es comparen experimentalment les tecnologies WiMAX i WiFI 802.11a en diferents escenaris: LOS i NLOS.

Subcellular fractionation of stored red blood cells reveals a compartment-based protein carbonylation evolution.

During blood banking, erythrocytes undergo storage lesions, altering or degrading their metabolism, rheological properties, and protein content. Carbonylation is a hallmark of protein oxidative lesions, thus of red blood cell oxidative stress. In order to improve global erythrocyte protein carbonylation assessment, subcellular fractionation has been established, allowing us to work on four different protein populations, namely soluble hemoglobin, hemoglobin-depleted soluble fraction, integral membrane and cytoskeleton membrane protein fractions. Carbonylation in erythrocyte-derived microparticles has also been investigated. Carbonylated proteins were derivatized with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) and quantified by western blot analyses. In particular, carbonylation in the cytoskeletal membrane fraction increased remarkably between day 29 and day 43 (P<0.01). Moreover, protein carbonylation within microparticles released during storage showed a two-fold increase along the storage period (P<0.01). As a result, carbonylation of cytoplasmic and membrane protein fractions differs along storage, and the present study allows explaining two distinct steps in global erythrocyte protein carbonylation evolution during blood banking. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Integrated omics.

Microphallus fonti sp. n. (Digenea: Microphaliidae) from the red swamp crawfish in southern United States

A new species of digenean, Microphallus fonti, is described from the red swamp crawfish in Lousiania, U.S.A. It has a small pharynx and a rudimentary gut like M. opacus and a possibly related species from crayfishes, but it differs from them by its relatively large male copulatory papilla and a conspicuous metraterm.

Surgery for ruptured thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of patients with ruptured descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms undergoing emergency repair, in comparison to elective surgery for chronic lesions. METHODS: A prospective study of 100 consecutive patients operated upon the descending aorta (1-8 segments) using proximal unloading and distal protection with partial cardiopulmonary bypass, heparin surface-coated perfusion equipment and low systemic heparinization (loading dose 100 IU/kg, activated coagulation time > 180 s), staged cross-clamping, sealed grafts and graft inclusion. RESULTS: Arteriosclerotic lesions were present in 53/100 patients (53%) for all, 30/53 (56%) for chronic, and 21/33 (63%) for ruptured, aneurysms (NS). Dissecting lesions were found in 38/100 patients (38%) for all, 20/53 (38%) for chronic, and 8/33 (24%) for ruptured aneurysms (NS). Preoperative hematocrit was 38 +/- 6% for all, 40 +/- 5% for chronic, and 33 +/- 5% for ruptured aneurysmal patients (P < 0.001 ruptured versus chronic). The extent of aortic repair (1-8 segments) was 3.3 +/- 1.6 for all, 3.5 +/- 1.5 for chronic, and 3.2 +/- 1.4 for ruptured, aneurysms (NS). Transdiaphragmatic repair was performed in 51/100 (51%) of all, 28/53 (53%) of chronic, and 17/33 (51%) of ruptured aneurysms (NS). Aortic cross-clamp time was 38 +/- 21 min for all, 39 +/- 24 min for chronic, and 38 +/- 17 min for ruptured, aneurysmal patients (NS). The amount of red cells washed and autotransfused was 2792 +/- 2239 ml in all, 3143 +/- 2531 ml in chronic, and 2074 +/- 1350 ml in ruptured, aneurysmal patients (P < 0.025). The amount of packed red cells required was 2181 +/- 1830 ml for all, 1736 +/- 1333 ml for chronic, and 2947 +/- 2395 ml for ruptured aneurysmal patients (P < 0.010). Thirty-day mortality was 9/100 (9%) for all, 3/53 (6%) for chronic, and 5/33 (15%) for ruptured aneurysmal patients (NS). Parapareses/plegias occurred in 9/100 (9%) of all, 6/53 (11%) of chronic, and 3/33 (9%) of ruptured, aneurysmal patients (NS). Stepwise regression analysis identified aortic cross-clamp time as a predictor of early mortality (P = 0.002) and parapareses and paraplegias (P = 0.001). Age (P = 0.001), extent of repair (P = 0.008) and preoperative hematocrit (P = 0.001) were predictors for homologous transfusion requirements. CONCLUSION: Emergency repair of ruptured descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms can be achieved with acceptable results.

Modelo de red de interconexión basado en enlace

La computación de altas prestaciones es una área de la informática que evoluciona rápidamente, en la que actualmente aparecen nuevos computadores que llegan a los petaflops. Al principio del trabajo, se estudian los distintos tipos de redes de interconexión y los modelos de red que se utilizan para medir su latencia. El objetivo de este trabajo, es el diseño, implementación y simulación de un modelo de red de interconexión basado en enlace, que tiene en cuenta la información de topología y enrutamiento de la red de interconexión. Teniendo en cuenta que los modelos son una abstracción del sistema, en éste trabajo se hace la verificación y validación del modelo, para asegurar que éste se aproxima a lo planteado en el diseño y también que se parece al sistema que se quiere modelar.

Voces del pasado, ecos del presente. la Red de Trabajo Contra la Violencia Sobre las Mujeres en Tiempos de Guerra y su labor en la sociedad japonesa

Gracias al trabajo de las redes transnacionales de defensa los marcos legales internacionales se han adaptado a las nuevas dimensiones que han alcanzado los conflictos armados en los últimos veinte años. Esta investigación estudia el papel de la Violence Against Women in War Network, Japan y del Women's Active Museum on War and Peace, como ejemplos de cómo los actores no gubernamentales pueden sensibilizar y transformar las normas nacionales e internacionales, el comportamiento de los Estados, los organismos supraestatales y a la sociedad en la que desarrollan su labor

Biochemical, immunological and toxicological characteristics of the crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. medellin

Characterization of the insecticidal and hemolytic activity of solubilized crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) subsp. medellin (Btmed) was performed and compared to solubilized crystal proteins of isolates 1884 of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and isolate PG-14 of B. thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni (Btm). In general, at acid pH values solubilization of the Bt crystalline parasporal inclusions (CPI) was lower than at alkaline pH. The larvicidal activity demonstrated by the CPI of Btmed indicated that optimal solubilization of CPI takes place at a pH value of 11.3, in Bti at pH values from 5.03 to 11.3 and in Btm at pH values from 9.05 to 11.3. Hemolytic activity against sheep red blood cells was mainly found following extraction at pH 11.3 in all Bt strains tested. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions revealed that optimal solubilization of the CPI in all Bt strains takes place at the alkaline pH values from 9.05 to 11.3. An enriched preparation of Btmed crystals was obtained, solubilized and crystal proteins were separated on a size exclusion column (Sephacryl S-200). Three main protein peaks were observed on the chromatogram. The first peak had two main proteins that migrate between 90 to 100 kDa. These proteins are apparently not common to other Bt strains isolated to date. The second and third peaks obtained from the size exclusion column yielded polypeptides of 68 and 28-30 kDa, respectively. Each peak independently, showed toxicity against 1st instar Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Interestingly, combinations of the fractions corresponding to the 68 and 30 kDa protein showed an increased toxicity. These results suggest that the 94 kDa protein is an important component of the Btmed toxins with the highest potency to kill mosquito larvae. When crystal proteins of Bti were probed with antisera raised independently against the three main protein fractions of Btmed, the only crystal protein that showed cross reaction was the 28 kDa protein. These data suggest that Btmed could be an alternative bacterium for mosquito control programs in case mosquito larval resistance emerges to Bti toxic proteins.

Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: imaging on Tc-99m heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy.

An 18-year-old man presented with a growing painless left scrotal mass. Sonography showed a hydrocele and a homogeneous, well-encapsulated left extratesticular mass with similar echogenicity as the normal testis, suggestive of a splenogonadal fusion. To substantiate the diagnosis, the patient underwent Tc-99m heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy showing normal physiological hyperactivity in the spleen but activity similar to the blood pool projecting on the upper part of the left testis. This made testicular splenic tissue less likely. The patient underwent resection and histopathology revealed a well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma. Inguinal orchidectomy was subsequently performed and the patient was free of recurrence at 18 months.

Analizador de red (sniffer) en entorno GNU

Aquest projecte mira de reflectir els coneixements adquirits en les assignatures pròpies de la carrera, com ara Fonaments de programació, Sistemes operatius i Ampliació de sistemes operatius, Xarxes, Estructura de xarxes de computadors i Seguretat en xarxes de computadors.

Sistema criptográfico para la gestión segura dehistoriales médicos a través de la red

Explorar les possibilitats de la criptografía per garantir la consulta i modificació segures d'historials mèdics a través d'una xarxa de comunicacions.

Diseño e implementación de un sistema de autenticación, autorización y acceso a una red inalámbrica vía FreeRADIUS y Active Directory

L'objectiu d'aquest projecte és estudiar i implementar una solució segura de connectivitat sense fil a la infraestructura actual aprofitant al màxim tots els sistemes ja implementats, de manera que no pateixin greus canvis estructurals.

Diseño e implementación de un capturador de paquetes de red

En l'actualitat les xarxes de comunicacions són bàsicament digitals; el camí que s'ha avançat en els darrers quaranta anys ha estat molt llarg, amb un desenvolupament tan ràpid que ha fet que qualsevol previsió quedés molt endarrerida abans d'hora (o que de vegades se sobreestimés aquest desenvolupament, com va passar amb el

Red cell distribution width does not predict stroke severity or functional outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Red cell distribution width was recently identified as a predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with previous stroke. Red cell distribution width is also higher in patients with stroke compared with those without. However, there are no data on the association of red cell distribution width, assessed during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, with stroke severity and functional outcome. In the present study, we sought to investigate this relationship and ascertain the main determinants of red cell distribution width in this population. METHODS: We used data from the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne for patients between January 2003 and December 2008. Red cell distribution width was generated at admission by the Sysmex XE-2100 automated cell counter from ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid blood samples stored at room temperature until measurement. An χ(2) -test was performed to compare frequencies of categorical variables between different red cell distribution width quartiles, and one-way analysis of variance for continuous variables. The effect of red cell distribution width on severity and functional outcome was investigated in univariate and multivariate robust regression analysis. Level of significance was set at 95%. RESULTS: There were 1504 patients (72±15·76 years, 43·9% females) included in the analysis. Red cell distribution width was significantly associated to NIHSS (β-value=0·24, P=0·01) and functional outcome (odds ratio=10·73 for poor outcome, P<0·001) at univariate analysis but not multivariate. Prehospital Rankin score (β=0·19, P<0·001), serum creatinine (β=0·008, P<0·001), hemoglobin (β=-0·009, P<0·001), mean platelet volume (β=0·09, P<0·05), age (β=0·02, P<0·001), low ejection fraction (β=0·66, P<0·001) and antihypertensive treatment (β=0·32, P<0·001) were independent determinants of red cell distribution width. CONCLUSIONS: Red cell distribution width, assessed during the early phase of acute ischemic stroke, does not predict severity or functional outcome.

VoWiFi & IM : Comunicaciones móviles en la red global

El principal objectiu d'aquest projecte és l'estudi de la tecnologia ViWiFi tant des del punt de vista de la seva base tècnica com de les seves possibles aplicacions actuals i futures, especialment referent a la integració de serveis addicionals com la missatgeria instantània. Una vegada analitzats els conceptes teòrics es realitza un estudi de les principals eines de codi obert que permeten implementar aquest tipus de plataformes, per a finalment concloure amb la instal·lació pràctica d'una plataforma de laboratori.