A complex network graphics may be composed of hundreds and thousands of objects, such as nodes and edges. Each object may hold a large number of attributes that might be difficult to explore in the network visualization. Therefore, many visualization tools and approaches have been developed to gain more information from the network graphics. In this paper, we introduce the concept of the Network Lens, a new widget that assists the users to deal with a complex network. The Network Lens is an interactive tool that combines data visualization to a magic lens. With the help of the Network Lens, users can display hidden information of the elements in the network graphics based on their interest. Moreover, the Network Lens supports a series of interactive functions that give the users flexible options to define their own lenses.

A wireless sensor network is designed to monitor events and report this information to a central location, or sink node. The information is required to efficiently travel through the network. It is the job of the routing protocol to officiate this process. With transmissions consuming the majority of the energy available to a sensor node, it becomes important to limit their usage while still maintaining reliable communication with the sink node. The aim of the research covered in this dissertation was to adapt the flat and hierarchical architectures to create a new hybrid that draws on current protocol theories. The designed and developed protocol, Hybrid Energy Efficient Routing (HEER) protocol, builds upon the initial groundwork laid out by the previously developed Simple Energy Efficient Routing (SEER) protocol designed by C.J. Leuschner. Another aspect of the work was to focus on the current lack of credibility that is present in the WSN research community. The validity of SEER was examined and tested and this led to the main focus of this research, ensuring that HEER proves to be valid. The HEER protocol for wireless sensor networks is designed such that it is computationally simple, limits the number of transmissions, employs a cross-layer approach, is reliable, is energy-aware, has limited support for mobile nodes, is energy efficient, and most importantly is credible. Sensor nodes are extremely limited when it comes to their available energy resources. To maximise the node and network lifetimes requires the designed algorithm to be energy aware and as efficient as possible. A cross-layer design approach is followed which allows for the different layers of the OSI model to interact. The HEER protocol limits the number of transmissions that are used for network operation. This is achieved by using a minimal amount of messages for network setup and by selecting the optimal route. Route selection is calculated using hop count, current energy available, energy available on the receiving node, and lastly the energy required to reach the destination node. HEER combines and expands upon the method used by SEER for route selection. Network lifetime for networks of large sizes is increased, mainly due to more efficient routing of messages. The protocol was kept computationally simple and energy efficient, thus maintaining network survivability for as long as possible. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

A software program was written that implements a finite element analysis (FEA) solution as the basis of an optimization function used for guiding the inverse design problem of aligning fibres, minimizing displacements in a fibre-reinforced polymer composite part in response to a given loading condition, for various part geometries. The FEA solution makes use of the superlinear RGNTet4 element, which includes 3 displacement and 3 rotational degrees of freedom at 4 nodes. Convergence testing verified the accuracy of the solver versus symbolic results for simple cases. Multivariate optimization over fibre orientations and volume fractions was carried out for a simple test case using the NLOpt nonlinear optimization library. Both derivative-free and gradient-based algorithms were tested. Low-Storage Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shannon was the most effective algorithm. Four more complex cases were examined, and by varying fibre orientations, reductions of 48%, 66%, 58% and 32% were achieved in displacements at the loaded nodes.

This thesis is about design and implementation one part of Integrated testing node, which is project developed by students of University of Economics. The aim of this project is create a solution, which integrates open-source tools for software testing support. The aim of this thesis is to create new part of Integrated testing node, which will be used for maintenance and creation of new automated tests created in Selenium, which is tool for frontend testing. This thesis continues with work, which was started in thesis of Bc. Jan Ženíšek. His thesis is focused to analyses and design of whole Integrated testing node. He also chose Selenium as tool responsible for automated test support. This thesis is also related to Bc. Helena Munzarová's thesis. She created REST mediator which should be used for communication with all other parts of Integrated testing node.

This diploma thesis analyzes the deep web environment with the use of business models from the surface web. In the indroduction part of the thesis summarize terms web, deep web and dark web, these terms are intermingle the entire thesis, also brings the concept on Onion routing with use of Tor software. An inseparable part is the comparsion of tools which can be used for access to the dark web. The main part of the thesis analyzes most used business models on the surface web including their methods of monetization and after that author tries to apply these models in the dark web environment. An importat part of this work is the analysis a type of services occuring on the dark web and mutual comparison of several sub-criteria of each service. In the final part the thesis presents project Turris on which is applied to create a relay node for the Tor network.

The aim of the project is to explore 3D localisation of a sensor “pill”, contained in an enclosed vessel, using multiple acoustic transducers mounted on the pill‟s surface. The thesis suggests strategies for placement, excitation and synchronisation of the transmitters on the pill and receivers on the vessel wall to deliver 3D localisation. Motivation for the project has emerged from the desire to develop wireless sensor networks to monitor the internals of industrial processes. A major challenge relates to the ability to accurately determine the location of the pill within the vessel, in the presence of multipath reflections. The main challenges relate to the determination of suitable transmission methodologies and synchronisation strategies to allow accurate localisation. The pill has to be a finite size in order to contain the required sensor hardware and transducers must be mounted on the surface of the pill such that signals are able to propagate directly to receivers on the vessel wall. This presents challenges in optimising the transmitter and receiver layout to maximise signal strength and also to determine how the separation of multiple transmitters on the pill impacts localisation accuracy. Time-Difference-of-Arrival (TDOA) has been investigated as a localisation technique, with simulations revealing that the separation of transmitters on the pill influences the accuracy. By modifying the standard TDOA equations with offset knowledge it has been demonstrated, in simulation, that this error can be reduced and by uniquely coding transmitters it is possible to resolve rotation of the pill in the vessel allowing further reduction in localisation error. Simulations have investigated how the location of receivers on the vessel wall influences the localisation error when the TDOA values are compromised by noise. It has been demonstrated that by mounting receivers at the extremities of the vessel the localisation error of the pill can be reduced. Work has also been undertaken to characterise both the vessel reflection properties and also the transmitter beam profile to allow a suitable transmitter layout on the pill to be determined. Simulations, supported by experimental results, have shown that a curved vessel surface can focus the reflected signals and therefore compromise peak detection signal methodologies. As a result amplitude thresholding is suggested for detecting received signals. The research is substantiated with a simple demonstrator that suggests, for both Time-of-Flight (TOF) and Time-Difference-of-Arrival techniques, that the location of the pill can be determined with an accuracy of ± 5 cm throughout a 250 litre vessel. This is the first time that underwater localisation in a confined space using multiple transmitters on the surface of a sensor “pill” has been reported.

The atrioventricular junction (AVJ) is a complex anatomical structure. It has an important role in maintaining synchronised atrioventricular conduction and protects from ventricular tachycardia, as well as bradycardia. Its embryological development and function is under tight transcription factor control. Heart failure is a chronic systemic condition, affecting one million people in the UK alone. Slowing of atrioventricular conduction in heart failure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The molecular and anatomical basis of abnormal atrioventricular conduction was studied in a rabbit model of heart failure due to aortic insufficiency and abdominal aortic constriction. The PR interval was significantly prolonged in heart failure animals. Using laser-assisted microdissection, the tiny tissues of the AVJ were collected for RT-PCR analysis. HCN1, Cav1.3, Cx40 and Cx43 transcripts were significantly downregulated by heart failure, with a compensatory increase in CLCN2, Nav1.1, Navβ1, SUR2A and PAK1. Immunolabelling for Cx43 showed reduction in protein level and longitudinal dissociation not only in the inferior nodal extension but also in the His bundle in heart failure animals. Anatomical studies of the AVJ have previously been limited by its small size and inaccessible location. Contrast-enhanced micro-CT scanning allowed non-destructive imaging of the AVJ anatomy. AVJ length and volume were increased in the rabbit model of heart failure, which is expected to contribute to atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. Micro-CT additionally resolved the anatomy of the canine AVJ and atria, including fibre orientation in the pulmonary vein sleeves and Bachmann’s bundle. The physiological effects of loss of T-box transcription factor 5 (Tbx5) in the AVJ were studied in a transgenic inducible Tbx5 knockout mouse model using optical mapping. Tbx5-deficient mice had a prolonged PR interval in vivo and a higher incidence of atrioventricular block and ventricular conduction abnormalities in Langendorff-perfused hearts.

The random deployment of Wireless Sensor and Actuator Network (WSAN) nodes in areas often inaccessible, results in so-called coverage holes – i.e. areas in the network that are not adequately covered by nodes to suit the requirements of the network. Various coverage protocol algorithms have been designed to reduce or eliminate coverage holes within WSANs by indicating how to move the nodes. The effectiveness of such coverage protocols could be jeopardised by inaccuracy in the initial node location data that is broadcast by the respective nodes. This study examines the effects of location inaccuracies on five sensor deployment and reconfiguration algorithms – They include two algorithms which assume that mobile nodes are deployed (referred to as the VEC and VOR algorithms); two that assume static nodes are deployed (referred to as the CNPSS and OGDC algorithms); and a single algorithm (based on a bidding protocol) that assumes a hybrid scenario in which both static and mobile nodes are deployed. Two variations of this latter algorithm are studied. A location simulation tool was built using the GE Smallworld GIS application and the Magik programming language. The simulation results are based on three above-mentioned deployment scenarios; mobile, hybrid and static. The simulation results suggest the VOR algorithm is reasonably robust if the location inaccuracies are somewhat lower than the sensing distance and also if a high degree of inaccuracy is limited to a relatively small percentage of the nodes. The VEC algorithm is considerably less robust, but prevents nodes from drifting beyond the boundaries in the case of large inaccuracies. The bidding protocol used by the hybrid algorithm appears to be robust only when the static nodes are accurate and there is a low degree of inaccuracy within the mobile nodes. Finally the static algorithms are shown to be the most robust; the CPNSS algorithm appears to be immune to location inaccuracies whilst the OGDC algorithm was shown to reduce the number of active nodes in the network to a better extent than that of the CPNSS algorithm. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Computer Science / unrestricted

Orientador: Antônio José Maria Cataneo / Resumo: Introdução: No melanoma primário, a aplicabilidade da biópsia de linfonodo sentinela (BLS), seguida ou não de esvazimento linfonodal (EL) é conhecida. Na recidiva locorregional (RL) de melanoma, alguns serviços tendem a indicá-la, buscando estadiamento mais acurado para embasar condutas individualizadas aos pacientes, ainda que as evidências sejam insuficientes. Objetivo: Avaliar o sucesso da BLS no encontro do linfonodo sentinela (LNS) e sua positividade na RL. Comparar a sobrevida entre os pacientes com LNS positivo e negativo. Verificar diferença na sobrevida pós EL. Métodos: Revisão sistemática, através das bases MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE e CENTRAL, buscando estudos experimentais e observacionais sobre BLS na RL de melanoma. Desfechos avaliados: sucesso na BLS pelo encontro do LNS, positividade para melanoma no LNS; sobrevida no subgrupo LNS positivo comparado com o negativo; sobrevida livre de doença no subgrupo LNS positivo comparada com o negativo; sobrevida dos pacientes submetidos ao EL. Para metanálises, utilizaram-se RevMan 5.3 e StatsDirect 3.0.121. Resultados: Foram identificados 1872 estudos, destes, seis estudos observacionais foram incluídos, totalizando 449 pacientes. O LNS foi encontrado em 98% das BLS (IC 95-100%, I2=53,7% - seis estudos). LNS com 32% de positividade para melanoma (IC 19-47%, I2= 84,6% - seis estudos). A chance de sobrevida global em cinco anos foi 2,49 vezes maior no subgrupo com LNS negativo (IC 95% 1,41-4,38, I2=0% - qua... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Background: In primary melanoma, the applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLB), followed or not by complete lymph node dissection (CLND) is known. In locoregional recurrence (LR) of melanoma, some groups may indicate it for more accurate staging to support individualized management, even with scarce evidence. Objective: To evaluate success in SLB and its positivity in LR. Compare survival between patients with positive and negative sentinel lymph node (SLN). Check for survival modification after CLND. Methods: Systematic review through databases such as MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE and CENTRAL, searching for experimental and observational studies on SLB in melanoma LR. Outcomes assessed: success in SLB by finding the SLN, positivity for melanoma in the SLN; survival in the positive SLN subgroup compared to the negative one; disease-free survival in the positive versus negative SLN subgroup; survival of patients undergoing CLND. For meta-analyzes, RevMan 5.3 and StatsDirect 3.0.121 were used. Results: The total number of patients in six observational studies was 449, over 1872 studies indentified. The SNL was found in 98% of SLB (95-100% CI, I2 = 53.7%, 6 studies). SLB detected 32% positivity for melanoma on SNL (CI 19-47%, I2 = 84.6%, 6 studies). The chance of five year overall survival was 2,49 higher in the negative SNL subgroup (95% CI 1.41-4.38, I2 = 0%, 4 studies). Meta-analyzes were not performed due to lack of objective data for disease-free survi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women, with 276,480 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2020.1 Death from breast cancer is usually caused by metastasis to distant sites, rather than from the primary tumor itself.2 Regional spread of breast cancer to the tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLN) often precedes further dissemination to the rest of the body, and as such is an important prognostic tool during cancer diagnosis and staging.3 During tumor growth, multiple immune cells and stromal cells in both the primary tumor microenvironment (pTME) and the TDLN undergo changes that promote tumor growth, metastasis and immune evasion in the TDLN and to the rest of the body. Among breast cancer subtypes, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive, and is most likely to be resistant to traditional chemotherapies, has the worst 5-year survival percentage, regardless of stage.4 Additionally, human growth factor receptor-2 (Her2) positive breast cancers are aggressive breast cancers as well, and Her2+ breast cancers are most likely to metastasize to the TDLN.5 PROBLEM: Little is known about how breast cancer cells induce genetic or transcriptomic changes in immune cells and stromal cells in the lymph node microenvironment and pTME as cancer cells metastasize to the TDLN. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate changes observed in immune and stromal cells in the TDLN via single cell sequencing, and to quantify changes in exhaustion status of lymphocytes in the metastatic TDLN microenvironment that may be causal of lymph node metastasis. METHODS: With a bioinformatics approach on single cell RNA sequencing, and with flow cytometry, we will measure changes in the transcriptomes of cells in the primary tumor microenvironment and the TDLN and compare changes in the primary site, tumor draining lymph node, and a normal lymph node. We measure changes in the expression of canonical exhaustion markers and inhibitory receptors: Tim-3, Lag-3, Tigit, CTLA-4, PD-1, and CD160 in lymphocytes in the metastatic TDLN and nonmetastatic spleens in Balb/c mice with flow cytometry. Additionally, we measured changes in myeloid and lymphoid populations in the spleens and lymph nodes with flow cytometry. RESULTS: B cell accumulation was observed in both the single cell RNA sequencing analysis and via flow cytometry in both the metastatic TDLN itself and in the spleens of mice with metastasis to the TDLN. Increased RNA of exhaustion markers in CD8+ T cells was observed in the primary tumor samples. Additionally, a trend of increased Natural Killer cells, B cells, naive and memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing canonical exhaustion markers was observed in both the metastatic TDLNs and the spleens of mice with cancer, indicating systemic immune suppression may occur as TNBCs and Her2+ breast cancers metastasize to the TDLN. / 2022-11-24T00:00:00Z