Search Results (187)

This article explores the concept of low-level modeling of networks-on-chip (NoCs). A method for reducing the low-level NoC model by replacing the real IP blocks with a data packet generator module is proposed. This method is implemented in the low-level NoC modeling ECAD tool HDLNoCGen. This makes it possible to significantly increase the maximum number of nodes in the simulated NoC, as well as speed up the modeling and investigate the resource costs for network synthesis. A universal interface that can be used to connect new components to the network is also described. This interface has two main benefits: it reduces connection resource costs by eliminating the need to modify the connected component and shortens the time required to configure the connection interface itself. The proposed methodology of low-level NoC modeling is shown to be effective in analyzing the operation of routing algorithms of the NoC communication subsystem based on various topologies. Full article

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of the mucosa that gives rise to a disrupted epithelial morphology. Persistent or recurrent inflammation and the debilitating nature of the associated symptoms make treatment of UC challenging. Cannabinoids derived from Cannabis sativa L. have been used for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders due to the wide-ranging therapeutic benefits of these compounds. Methods: We evaluated a commercial hemp extract, high in cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabidiol (CBD), as a novel treatment for UC symptoms using the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model in mice. Hemp extract was administered via two different routes of administration, intraperitoneal (i.p) and oral (p.o). Results: Specifically, we observed that cannabinoid treatment reduced damage to the colonic epithelium. We also observed that CBG/CBD rich hemp extracts help reduce pain-related responses in these animals. Conclusions: Together, the data suggest that cannabinoid administration has the potential to be an effective alternate therapeutic option for UC management. Full article

The rapid development of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellations has not only provided global users with low-latency and unrestricted high-speed data services but also presented researchers with the challenge of understanding dynamic changes in global network behavior. Unlike geostationary satellites and terrestrial internet infrastructure, LEO satellites move at a relative velocity of 7.6 km/s, leading to frequent alterations in their connectivity status with ground stations. Given the complexity of the space environment, current research on LEO satellite internet primarily focuses on modeling and simulation. However, existing LEO satellite network simulators often overlook the global network characteristics of these systems. We present SatScope, a data-driven simulator for LEO satellite internet. SatScope consists of three main components, space segment modeling, ground segment modeling, and network simulation configuration, providing researchers with an interface to interact with these models. Utilizing both space and ground segment models, SatScope can configure various network topology models, routing algorithms, and load balancing schemes, thereby enabling the evaluation of optimization algorithms for LEO satellite communication systems. We also compare SatScope’s fidelity, lightweight design, scalability, and openness against other simulators. Based on our simulation results using SatScope, we propose two metrics—ground node IP coverage rate and the number of satellite service IPs—to assess the service performance of single-layer satellite networks. Our findings reveal that during each network handover, on average, 38.94% of nodes and 83.66% of links change. Full article

Background/Objectives: In preclinical research of airway inflammation, the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS)–induced acute interstitial pneumonitis is the most commonly used mechanism model. However, studies apply different LPS serotypes, doses, administration routes, and reference compounds, making result interpretation challenging and drawing conclusions difficult. Therefore, here we aimed to optimize, characterize, and validate this model with dexamethasone in mice. Methods: Pneumonitis was induced by intratracheal LPS (0.25, 1, 2.5, 5 mg/kg; E. coli O111:B4) in C57BL/6J and NMRI mice; controls received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Dexamethasone (5 mg/kg i.p.) was used as a positive control. Respiratory functions were measured by restrained plethysmography 24 h after induction, and core body temperature was monitored. Lungs were excised and weighed, and then myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histopathological analysis were performed to assess pulmonary inflammation. Results: LPS-induced significant body weight loss, perivascular pulmonary edema, MPO activity increase, neutrophil infiltration, and respiratory function impairment in a dose-independent manner. However, LPS-induced hypothermia dynamics and duration were dose-dependent. The inhibitory effects of the reference compound dexamethasone were only detectable in the case of the 0.25 mg/kg LPS dose on most inflammatory parameters. These results did not differ substantially between C57BL/6J and NMRI mouse strains. Conclusions: Very low doses of LPS induce characteristic functional and morphological inflammatory alterations in the lung, which do not worsen in response to even 20 times higher doses. Since the effect of pharmacological interventions is likely to be detectable in the case of the 0.25 mg/kg LPS dose, we suggest this protocol for testing novel anti-inflammatory agents. Full article

Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin supports anonymous routing (Tor and I2P) due to the application requirements of anonymity and censorship resistance. In permissionless and open networking for cryptocurrency, an adversary can spoof to pretend to use Tor or I2P for anonymity and privacy protection, while, in reality, it is not using anonymous routing and is forwarding its networking directly to the destination peer to reduce networking overheads. Using profile detection based on deterministic features to detect anonymous routing and false claims is vulnerable to spoofing, especially in permissionless cryptocurrency bypassing registration control. We thus designed and built a method of network fingerprinting, using networking behaviors to detect and classify networking types. We built a network sensor to collect data on an active Bitcoin node connected to the Mainnet and applied supervised machine learning to identify whether a peer node was using IP (direct forwarding without the relays for anonymity protection), Tor, or I2P. Our results show that our scheme is effective in accurately detecting networking types and identifying spoofing attempts through supervised machine learning. We tested our scheme using multiple supervised learning models, specifically CatBoost, Random Forest, and HistGradientBoosting. CatBoost and Random Forest performed best and had comparable accuracy performance in effectively detecting false claims, i.e., they classified the networking types and detected fake claims of Tor usage with 93% accuracy and false claims of I2P with 94% accuracy in permissionless Bitcoin. However, CatBoost-based detection was significantly quicker than Random Forest and HistGradientBoosting in real-time testing and detection. Full article

Information-centric networking (ICN) is a promising approach to address the limitations of current host-centric IP-based networking. ICN models feature ubiquitous in-network caching to provide faster and more reliable content delivery, name-based routing to provide better scalability, and self-certifying contents to ensure better security. Due to the differences in the core architecture of ICN compared to existing IP-based networks, it requires special considerations to provide quality-of-service (QoS) or quality-of-experience (QoE) support for applications based on ICNs. This paper discusses the latest advances in QoS and QoE research for ICNs. First, an overview of ICN architectures is given, followed by a summary of different factors that influence QoS and QoE. Approaches for improving QoS and QoE in ICNs are then discussed in five main categories: in-network caching, name resolution and routing, transmission and flow control, software-defined networking, and media-streaming-based strategies. Finally, open research questions for providing QoS and QoE support in ICNs are outlined for future research. Full article

Mercury (Hg) poses significant risks to human health, the environment, and plant physiology, with its effects influenced by chemical form, concentration, exposure route, and organism vulnerability. This study evaluates the physiological impacts of Hg on Handroanthus impetiginosus (Ipê Roxo) seedlings through SPAD index measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, and Hg quantification in plant tissues. Four-month-old seedlings were exposed for eight days to distilled water containing Hg at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 mg L⁻¹. The SPAD index decreased by 28.17% at 3, 5, and 7 mg L⁻¹, indicating reduced photosynthetic capacity. Chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis revealed a 50.58% decline in maximum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and a 58.33% reduction in quantum yield (ΦPSII) at 7 mg L⁻¹, along with an 83.04% increase in non-photochemical quenching (qn), suggesting oxidative stress and PSII damage. Transpiration decreased by 26.7% at 1 mg L⁻¹ and by 55% at 3, 5, and 7 mg L⁻¹, correlating with Hg levels and leaf senescence. Absorption, translocation, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation factors varied among treatments. Hg accumulated mainly in stems (40.23 μg g⁻¹), followed by roots (0.77 μg g⁻¹) and leaves (2.69 μg g⁻¹), with limited translocation to leaves. These findings highlight Hg’s harmful effects on H. impetiginosus, an ecologically and commercially valuable species, addressing a gap in research on its Hg tolerance and phytoremediation potential. Full article

This paper discusses modern approaches to the creation of a highly reliable data transmission system for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) operating under interference conditions. In contrast to existing solutions, an improved communication algorithm is proposed to ensure uninterrupted transmission of video, telemetry, and control signals even in highly unstable environments. The study identifies the main technical requirements for data transmission and evaluates the key parameters of the communication channel. The proposed hybrid communication system utilizes adaptive channel switching, data compression, and equipment reconfiguration, improving data transmission stability and reducing latency. A comparative analysis of existing communication technologies reveals the limitations of acoustic, optical, and radio wave systems. A conceptual architecture combining these technologies provides optimal data transmission by adapting to the environment. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the system, demonstrating reliable operation even with 80% packet loss in public Internet networks. The system’s adaptability, low latency, and dynamic routing make it suitable for real-time USV operations, including environmental monitoring, scientific research, and search and rescue missions. Its potential extends to commercial and dual applications requiring sustained data transmission in challenging maritime environments. Full article

In the era of multi-core technology, efficient communication among numerous IP cores has become a critical challenge. Network-on-chip (NoC) technology provides a scalable and effective solution, attracting significant attention in academia and industry. This paper introduces a novel deterministic–adaptive hybrid routing (DAHR) algorithm designed to enhance performance while ensuring deadlock-free operation. The DAHR algorithm leverages pre-fetched deterministic information and real-time congestion feedback from neighboring nodes to make dynamic routing decisions. Before packet injection, the source–destination positional relationship and required hops are pre-calculated and encoded into the packet’s head flit. Routing decisions are then based on the availability of free virtual channels in the determined directions, eliminating the need for a complex routing calculation unit. Simulation results demonstrate that DAHR reduces average packet delay by at least 5.8% and improves saturation throughput by at least 9.0% compared to conventional routing schemes without introducing additional hardware overhead. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones. Previously, drug loading in colloidal carriers has shown enhanced penetration into and retention in bacterial cells. However, the mechanism of levofloxacin niosomes’ bio-disposition in rats has not been reported. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of optimized levofloxacin niosomes following intraperitoneal injection into Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: Formulation and processing variables settings were determined using DoE Fusion One software. The resulting data input into the Optimizer module provided niosome formulation for in vivo study in Sprague Dawley rats. Each group of rats (n = 6) was injected intraperitoneally with either conventional levofloxacin or its niosomes at equivalent doses of 7.5 mg/kg/dose. Blood samples were collected via tail snip and analyzed using a validated HPLC method. The plasma–time data were fed into the Gastroplus software (Simulations Plus, CA) and used to model levofloxacin PK. Results: Niosomes for in vivo study had a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 329.16 nm (±18.0), encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 30.74%, Zeta potential of 21.72 (±0.54), and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.286 (±0.014). Both the Akaike and Schwarz criteria showed levofloxacin niosomes and conventional drug formulation obeying one- and two-compartment PK models, respectively. Thus, formulation in niosomes altered levofloxacin biodistribution by concentrating the drug in the vascular compartment. Conclusions: Niosome encapsulation of levofloxacin altered its biodistribution and pharmacokinetic profile, possibly by protecting i.p. levofloxacin en route into plasma, and significantly enhanced its plasma concentration with enhanced potential for treating intravascular infections. Full article

Packet routing in computer networks provides complex challenges in environments with distrustful routers due to security vulnerabilities or potential malicious behaviors. The literature offers solutions to the problem designed for different types of networks. This paper introduces a novel method to mitigate risks associated with distrustful routers by constructing secure and efficient routing paths in Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) networks. Networks in which routing is carried out based on OSPF protocols are currently the most widespread, hence ensuring the security of data transmission in such networks is urgently needed. In turn, distrustful routers can degrade the overall security and performance of the network, creating vulnerabilities that can be used for malicious purposes. The proposed method is based on the Dijkstra algorithm which is enhanced to identify and mitigate the risk connected with potential distrustful network nodes. Analysis of the proposed method shows its ability to build efficient routes exclusively through trusted routers if such paths exist. As a criterion for effectiveness, a metric such as the channel weight is used. The proposed method is validated using applications across networks of varying topologies and sizes, including large-scale networks. For networks containing post-distrustful routers to which there is no path without distrustful nodes, the proposed method is able to build the shortest paths that are marked as not secure but have a minimum number of distrustful nodes on their path. In scenarios with multiple compromised routers with different locations in the network, the proposed method significantly increases network resilience. Full article

To meet the ever-increasing strict transmission requirements of services in the Energy Internet (EI), reliable routing algorithms for service are necessary. Most of the existing routing algorithms in the Internet Protocol (IP) layer concentrate on service requirements and network topology features while neglecting spectrum resource utilization in the optical transport layer. The status of spectrum resources in the optical transport layer also affects the availability of the routing path. However, there are few studies that combined service transmission requirements and network structure with spectrum resources of the link. In light of this, it is more practical to design routing algorithms integrated with the IP layer and the optical layer. There are three main innovations as follows: (1) The indicator of path satisfaction is proposed meanwhile the system model and service model are constructed. (2) Searching routing paths for services is abstracted into a constrained optimization problem. The optimal objective is to maximize path satisfaction. At the same time, various service requirements, such as end-to-end latency and bandwidth, should be satisfied. (3) To reduce computational complexity, a heuristic path satisfaction-based service-aware routing algorithm (PSSRA) is designed to resolve it. Extensive experiments are carried out with varied service requests on different network topologies. The final results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing algorithms regarding the service blocking ratio and service distribution fairness index. Full article

This paper proposes a novel methodology for the design of dual-stack IP routing protocols focused on neighborships and routing messages transport. The first part describes currently used dual-stack IP routing protocols, their history, and key features. The description of four identified combinations based on a number of neighbor sessions and protocol used for the transport of routing messages is presented afterward. These combinations are introduced as Protocol Integration Solution Classes (PISCs) in this paper. Colored Petri nets (CPNs) are selected as a formal method to create a model of each PISC. The following parts deal with a detailed description and analysis of the created Protocol Integration Solution Class models, which are also verified and compared with each other. Based on the comparison of each PISC model simulation step, the PISC 2 class is selected as the most efficient one. The last part of the paper formulates recommendations for the dual-stack IP routing protocol design based on the results presented in this paper. Full article

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition characterized by dysregulated host responses to infection, often leads to multi-organ dysfunction, including kidney injury. Kidney damage in sepsis can have severe consequences and is associated with high mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of fosfomycin (FOS), a broad-spectrum antibiotic with immunomodulatory properties, on kidney damage induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in a rodent model. In total, 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 8), the healthy control group (C), received a single dose of 0.9% NaCl (saline) solution via an intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. To group 2 (n = 8), the CLP group, CLP-induced sepsis was applied without medication, and a single dose of 0.9% NaCl (saline) solution was applied i.p. before induction. To group 3 (n = 8), the CLP + FOS (500 mg/kg) group, a single dose of 500 mg/kg FOS was administered i.p. before sepsis induction. The effects of fosfomycin on kidney function, histopathological changes, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were assessed. In the fosfomycin-treated group, the histological analysis results demonstrated reduction in kidney tissue damage and inflammation. Additionally, fosfomycin attenuated the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced oxidative stress markers in kidney tissue. Furthermore, fosfomycin treatment was associated with a decrease in apoptotic cell death in the kidney. These findings suggest that fosfomycin may have a protective effect on kidney damage caused by CLP-induced sepsis. The potential mechanisms underlying this protection include the modulation of inflammation, reduction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of apoptosis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Catha edulis, commonly known as khat, is used for its psychoactive effects and is considered a natural amphetamine. The current study investigated the metabolomic profile in the cerebellum of mice after repeated exposure to khat and evaluated the effects of clavulanic acid on the metabolomic profile in the cerebellum in khat-treated mice. Methods: Male C67BL/6 mice that were 6–9 weeks old were recruited and divided into three groups: the control group was treated with 0.9% normal saline for 17 days; the khat group was given khat extract at a dose of 360 mg/kg via the intraperitoneal (i.p) route for 17 days; and another khat group was treated with khat for 17 days and clavulanic acid at a dose of 5 mg/kg for the last 7 days (days 11–17). At the end of the 17th day, the animals were sacrificed, and their brains were immediately collected and stored at −80 °C. The cerebellum region of the brain was isolated in each group by micropuncture using cryostat and underwent a metabolomics study via Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). The total peak area ratios of the selected metabolites in the cerebellum after repeated exposure to the khat extract were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) and treatment of the khat group with clavulanic acid significantly increased (all p < 0.05) the total peak areas ratios of the selected metabolites when compared to their corresponding areas in the alternative khat group. These levels of selected metabolites were further confirmed by observing the metabolite peak area ratios and performing a heat map analysis and a principal compartment analysis of the samples in the cerebellum. Results: A network analysis of altered metabolites in the cerebellum showed a strong correlation between the different metabolites, which showed that an increase in one metabolite can modulate the levels of others. An analysis using the MetaboAnalyst software revealed the involvement of selected altered metabolites like lactic acid in many signaling pathways, like gluconeogenesis, while enrichment analysis data showed altered pathways for pyruvate metabolism and disease pathogenesis. Finally, a network analysis showed that selected metabolites were linked with other metabolites, indicating drug–drug interactions. Conclusions: The present study showed that repeated exposure of mice to khat altered the levels of various metabolites in the cerebellum which are involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases, signaling pathways, and interactions with the pharmacokinetic profile of other therapeutic drugs. The treatment of khat-treated mice with clavulanic acid positively modified the metabolomics profile in the cerebellum and increased the levels of the altered metabolites. Full article