Operational filtering of traffic data

An operational filter of traffic state variables is presented for use in designing computer-aided traffic surveillance and control systems. A total of 166 data sets from three traffic surveillance systems were used in the filter development. All the data sets were best represented by an ARIMA (0,1,3) filter. This filter has the following advantages: (1) it yields minimum mean-square-error forecasts if stationarity of the observations can be obtained; (2) it provides much better results than the existing ad hoc filters; (3) it is computationally tractable; and (4) it requires modest computer storage of data. Suggestions and implications for the use of this filter are given.     

SAP is required for generating long-term humoral immunity

Long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells are the primary cellular components of long-term humoral immunity and as such are vitally important for the protection afforded by most vaccines. The SAP gene has been identified as the genetic locus responsible for X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, a fatal immunodeficiency. Mutations in SAP have also been identified in some cases of severe common variable immunodeficiency disease. The underlying cellular basis of this genetic disorder remains unclear. We have used a SAP knockout mouse model system to explore the role of SAP in immune responses. Here we report that mice lacking expression of SAP generate strong acute IgG antibody responses after viral infection, but show a near complete absence of virus-specific long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells, despite the presence of virus-specific memory CD4+ T cells. Adoptive transfer experiments show that SAP-deficient B cells are normal and the defect is in CD4+ T cells. Thus, SAP has a crucial role in CD4+ T-cell function: it is essential for late B-cell help and the development of long-term humoral immunity but is not required for early B-cell help and class switching.     

Estimation of Cloud Node Acquisition Waseem Ahmed and Yongwei Wu简

Over the past decade, there has been a paradigm shift leading consumers and enterprises to the adoption of cloud computing services. Even though most cases are still in the early stages of transition, there has been a steady increase in the implementation of the pay-as-you-go or pay-as-you-grow models offered by cloud providers. Whether applied as an extension of virtual infrastructure, software, or platform as a service, many users are still challenged by the estimation of adequate resource allocation and the wide variations in pricing. Customers require a simple method of predicting future demand in terms of the number of nodes to be allocated in the cloud environment. In this paper, we review and discuss existing methodologies for estimating the demand for cloud nodes and their corresponding pricing policies. Based on our review, we propose a novel approach using the Hidden Markov Model to estimate the acquisition of cloud nodes.     

Revision of the digger wasps of the Ampulicidae and Heterogynaidae (Hymenoptera) of Saudi Arabia,with the description of a new species of the enigmatic genus Heterogyna Nagy

The apoid wasps of the families Ampulicidae and Heterogynaidae of Saudi Arabia are revised. In Ampulicidae, four species in three genera are reported, of which three species are recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia (Al-Baha, Asir and Riyadh regions): Ampulex assimilis Kohl, Dolichurus arabicus Ohl and Trirogma caerulea Westwood. Additionally, the family Heterogynaidae is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia (Asir and Riyadh regions), and a new species, Heterogyna saudita sp. nov., is described, diagnosed and illustrated. An illustrated key to the species of Heterogyna from the Arabian Peninsula is provided.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C23C70A7-AA1C-47C0-951A-D164E7B20001     

Catalytic performance of nano-hybrid graphene and titanium dioxide modified cathodes fabricated with facile and green technique in microbial fuel cell

Finite resources of the world''s fossil fuel give rise to the irresistible urge to explore alternative renewable energy routes such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The limited productivity is one of the main obstacles for MFC scalability. In this study, a dual-chamber MFC was assembled and equipped with fabricated modified cathodes with titanium dioxide (TiO2) or hybrid graphene (HG) which mainly improved the catalytic activity of the cathode. The graphite paste (GP) bare electrode was modified by both nanomaterials using a green and facile technique. The results showed that the modified cathodes resulted in a considerable improvement for the MFC performance, i.e., the power density reaching levels of 80 mW/m2 for GP-TiO2 and 220 mW/m2 for GP-HG compared to 30 mW/m2 for GP electrode. Additionally, the modified electrodes exhibited lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) compared to the bare electrode. Therefore, these modified electrodes, fabricated by an eco-friendly method, could be used as alternatives to the precious expensive metals like Pt.     

Reduction of incubation time in citric acid fermentation by vermiculite

Zusammenfassung In Gegenwart des exfolierten Tonminerals Vermikulit wird die Zitronensäurebildung durchAspergillus niger besonders stimuliert. Dabei wird die Induktionsphase verkürzt sowie die gesamte Gärgeschwindigkeit im messbaren Bereich der Zitronensäurebildungsphase erhöht. Die Stimulierung scheint einzig auf verbesserten Haushalt der Spurenelemente zurückzuführen zu sein.