The computer network industry is preparing for the revolution caused by the virtualization of the network infrastructure. The virtualization of network functions, together with the network programmability, is a fundamental skill-set required in both electrical engineers and computer scientists, which will become even more significant in the upcoming years. Therefore, in this article, we present an educational framework for Service Function Chaining (SFC) practical teaching to undergraduate students aiming to prepare them for future Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and communication networks market that will demand skillful professionals in the domain. The educational framework was designed for the Network Management course at the University of Antwerp. To structure the content of the framework’s sessions, we explain the fundamental concepts behind the SFC. Moreover, we detail the framework objectives, sessions, and how we plan to evaluate it. We also present facts and works that endorse the hands-on teaching preparing students for the research and development in the new generation communication networks arena. After, we discuss the methodology of the educational framework alignment with joint ACM/IEEE Computer Engineering Curricula for Network Management courses. Next, we present possible outcomes during the course evaluation using the survey. We conclude which this educational framework achieves the necessary core learning outcomes to empower students concerning the practical steps when deploying and managing communication networks and the virtualization techniques which nowadays are being applied.

An integrated quadruple voltage mixed quenching, and active resetting circuit (Q2RC) in a 150 nm CMOS process is presented in this paper. The Q2RC features an excess-bias voltage of 7.2 V, which is four times the 1.8 V supply voltage. The dead time can be adjusted from 7 ns to 29 ns, which corresponds to the count rate range from 34 Mcps to 142 Mcps. Post-layout simulation results for an external SPAD with an equivalent parasitic capacitance of 4 pF are reported. The achieved quenching time of the Q2RC is 1.75 ns, which results in 4.05 GV/s quenching slew rate, while the delay time is 1.1 ns, and the resetting time is 2.55 ns.

Tactile internet" refers to a network that can support real-time interactions between human operators and remote cyber-physical systems as if they were near to each other. For this, the network should support ultra-low latency communication, often referred to as the 1ms challenge. However, we observe that network requirements, such as latency and bandwidth, of tactile internet based cyber-physical systems or Tactile Cyber-Physical Systems (TCPS) are not static: they severely fluctuate over time. Therefore, for TCPS, static provisioning of network resources is sub-optimal. For optimal utilization of network resources, we propose a mechanism to, per TCPS flow, dynamically create, destroy and switch network slices, based on the network resources needed at that time. Our solution consists of two main components. First, we develop a clustering algorithm to determine the slices and their specifications required to support a TCPS flow. Second, we leverage Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and P4-programmable switches to enable on- the-fly provisioning and switching of these slices.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are the most common oncoviruses, contributing to approximately 10%–15% of all malignancies. Oncoproteins of high-risk HPVs (E5 and E6/E7), as well as EBV (LMP1, LMP2A and EBNA1), play a principal role in the onset and progression of several human carcinomas, including head and neck, cervical and colorectal. Oncoproteins of high-risk HPVs and EBV can cooperate to initiate and/or enhance epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) events, which represents one of the hallmarks of cancer progression and metastasis. Although the role of these oncoviruses in several cancers is well established, their role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is still nascent. This review presents an overview of the most recent advances related to the presence and role of high-risk HPVs and EBV in colorectal cancer, with an emphasis on their cooperation in colorectal carcinogenesis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and to compare it with classical prognostic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 70 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had not been treated for the metastatic disease. The patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT as part of their routine diagnostic reevaluation. During the analysis, the value of the largest tumor diameter and SUVmax was determined for the lesion with the highest SUVmax observed. The values of CEA and CA 19-9 were recorded 7 days before the PET/CT analysis. RESULTS SUVmax and Carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 were found to be independent prognostic markers of disease progression within 12 months. Based on the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, the patients could be divided into two groups: SUVmax≤4.1 vs. SUVmax>4.1. Patients with SUVmax values of 4.1 or less had significantly better progression-free survival within 12 months with an HR (95% CI) of 2.97 (1.4-6.3), relative to patients with SUVmax values above 4.1. CONCLUSION SUVmax may be used as a novel prognostic marker of disease progression among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Values of SUVmax can be used to select patients with a more aggressive type of disease and higher risk for progression within 12 months of PET/CT analysis.

Introduction: Significance of serum uric acid (UA) in cerebrovascular disease still remains controversial. UA is most abundant natural antioxidant in human plasma. Its antioxidant properties might protect against free radical damage, thereby reducing the risk of oxidative stress-related cognitive impairment and dementia. Aim: In our investigation, we determine the level of UA in 100 male patients diagnosed with the first ischemic brain stroke (blood samples were collected during the acute phase and post-acute phase), 100 male patients diagnosed with vascular dementia and 100 male healthy volunteers (control group). Methods: UA was determined using DIMENSION LxR automatic analyzer. Measurement of UA concentration was based on an enzymatic method (range 208-428 μmol/L). Results: The prevalence of hyperuricemia among ischemic stroke and vascular dementia patients was 30% and 8%, respectively. Serum UA concentration was higher 7 and 14 days after the stroke compared to the acute phase (24-48 hours after hospitalization) and these concentrations were significantly higher than those measured in the control group. UA levels measured at 24-48 hours after the first symptoms of ischemic stroke were strongly correlated with those measured after 7 days of treatment (r = 0.79, p = 0.001) or after 14 days (r = 0.839, p = 0.0049). No significant differences were found between ischemic stroke and vascular dementia groups. Conclusion: UA concentrations were higher in ischemic stroke and vascular dementia groups than in controls. UA increase may reflect vascular atherosclerosis and tissue hypoxia. UA monitoring in patients with cerebrovascular disease is essential, because UA is more harmful than protective.

The chemical variability of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) and rosehip (Rosa canina L.) based on the content of individual and total sugars and organic acids in fruit was investigated. The fruits were picked in fully ripened condition within the period from 2014 to 2015 from different locations. The fresh fruits were analyzed with the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique for the purpose of identifying and quantifying the content of glucose, fructose and sucrose, as well as malic, citric, fumaric and shikimic acids. However, the content of individual sugars and organic acids differed by locations as well as by growing year within the same wild fruit species. The differences between wild fruit species as well as among different locations are presented by principal component analysis (PCA). Based on results obtained, rosehip fruits with higher sugars and organic acids ratio (S/A) are suitable for production of “pekmez” and drying, while genotypes of cornelian cherry, wild strawberry and bilberry with lower S/A are recommended for production of juices and gelatin products. The research results show that specific environmental conditions may influence significantly the content of analyzed parameters, as is the case with cornelian cherry and rosehip. Considering that the food industry is searching for new products, the wild fruit species analyzed represent a promising source of ingredients for the development of beverages and foods with functional properties as well as for supplements and nutraceuticals.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypodontia and hyperdontia among a group of orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross sectional study was conducted using radiographs of 4256 patients (2032 males and 2224 females) who attended the Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Sarajevo. Radiographs were examined for the prevalence of hypodontia and hyperdontia in permanent dentition. Hypodontia was recorded when a tooth was absent on the panoramic radiograph and hyperdontia was recorded as an increased number of teeth above that described by normal dental formula. All data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency and percentage, and differences between groups were tested using the χ2 test, or Fisher exact test. RESULTS In the sample of orthodontic patients, 4.08% subjects had a least one dental anomaly, hypodontia or hyperdontia. The observed prevalence of hypodontia was in 3.42% subjects, and it was more prevalent in females than in male subjects. The observed prevalence of hyperdontia was in 0.65% subjects and hyperdontia was more common in males than female subjects. CONCLUSIONS By early diagnosis of a reduced or increased number of teeth, various modes of therapy with a multidisciplinary approach may be performed to correct the aesthetic and functional problems caused by hypodontia or hyperdontia.

Abstract Failures of aircraft piston engine components are a common occurrence in practice. During operation, cylinder heads are components that are exposed to multiaxial thermomechanical loads leading to fatigue. Therefore, predicting the lifetime of the cylinder heads exposed to such loads is one of the most important tasks to ensure engine quality, durability and safety. This paper is the continuation of a comprehensive research of the Lycoming IO-360-B1F aircraft engine cylinder head failure. The failure of this type has already occurred during flight and about 50 failures like this have been registered from around the world, some of them with a fatal outcome and therefore require detailed research. This research includes the numerical stress and fatigue analysis of the cylinder assembly exposed to high cycle mechanical and thermal loads that failed due to a crack appearance on the cylinder head. A 3D cylinder assembly model was created. The locations with the highest stress values, both mechanical and thermal, were determined using numerical analysis. Also, the lifetime of the cylinder assembly has been determined, i.e. an integrity assessment has been carried out which will contribute to the consideration of the crack appearance problem. Defining the coupled thermomechanical load of the cylinder assembly in the numerical analysis gives special significance to this paper. The results obtained will serve to analyze the crack propagation in the cylinder head which is going to be the subject of further research.