Reliability analysis of wireless sensor network for smart farming applications

Wireless Sensor Networks are subjected to some design constraints (e.g., processing capability, storage memory, energy consumption, fixed deployment, etc.) and to outdoor harsh conditions that deeply affect the network reliability. The aim of this work is to provide a deeper understanding about the way redundancy and node deployment affect the network reliability. In more detail, the paper analyzes the design and implementation of a wireless sensor network for low-power and low-cost applications and calculates its reliability considering the real environmental conditions and the real arrangement of the nodes deployed in the field. The reliability of the system has been evaluated by looking for both hardware failures and communication errors. A reliability prediction based on different handbooks has been carried out to estimate the failure rate of the nodes self-designed and self-developed to be used under harsh environments. Then, using the Fault Tree Analysis the real deployment of the nodes is taken into account considering the Wi-Fi coverage area and the possible communication link between nearby nodes. The findings show how different node arrangements provide significantly different reliability. The positioning is therefore essential in order to obtain maximum performance from a Wireless sensor network

Clinical significance of endometrial abnormalities: an observational study on 1020 women undergoing hysteroscopic surgery

Background: The overall clinical significance of the finding of endometrial abnormalities in predicting premalignant/malignant endometrial lesions is still incompletely determined. For this reason the management, surgical or expectant, of women in which an endometrial abnormality has been detected is debated. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 1020 consecutive women, 403 premenopausal and 617 postmenopausal, who underwent operative hysteroscopy in a University Hospital for suspected endometrial abnormalities, which were detected by transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and/or office hysteroscopy. In these women, the clinical characteristics and findings at TVS and hysteroscopy were evaluated in relation to the presence/absence of premalignant/malignant endometrial lesions at pathology report. Results: The clinical characteristics considered were significantly different when the study women were compared according to their menopausal status. Premalignant/malignant lesions were found in 34/1020 (3.33%) women. Complex hyperplasia with atypia and endometrial cancer were detected in 22 (2.15%) and 12 (1.17%) cases, respectively. The postmenopausal women had a significantly higher risk of premalignant/malignant lesions than premenopausal women (O.R. = 5.098 [95% C.I.: 1.782–14.582], P < 0.005). This risk was even higher when abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) was present (O.R. = 5.20 [95% C.I.: 2.38–11.35], P < 0.0001). The most significant associations with premalignant/malignant endometrial lesions were BMI, AUB in postmenopause, overall polyp size, atypical aspect of endometrial polyps at hysteroscopy, postmenopausal status, diabetes mellitus and patient age. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the proper, aggressive or expectant, management of endometrial abnormalities should take into account both ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic findings together with the specific clinical characteristics of the patients

Alopecia universalis after discontinuation of pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for hepatitis C: a case report

Abstract For the last decade, the combination therapy of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) has been considered as the standard of care treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, it has been associated with an increased incidence of many adverse cutaneous reactions and emergence of autoantibodies or even autoimmune diseases. We report a case of irreversible alopecia universalis (AU) with complete hair loss extended to the whole body, which started after discontinuation of Peg-IFN/RBV combination therapy for chronic HCV infection. In conclusion, this case represents an uncommon presentation of a common disease. Physicians must be aware of the potential adverse reactions of an antiviral therapy containing IFN, which might occur even after the discontinuation, and fully inform the patient at the beginning of his treatment course. We hope that interferon-free regimens will utterly supplant interferon-based therapy for most or all HCV patients avoiding the emergence of autoimmune manifestations

What kind of hepatitis

Finding one major hepatotropic virus may not be enough to identify the aetiology of liver disease when risk factors are present, particularly in patients with past or present infection with other viral agents, or chronic liver disease. The pathogenic process in these cases is often complex. In the five cases we report, acute hepatitis (initiated by halothane, cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus) preceded the reactivation of hepatitis B infection, and these events occurred in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Each case demonstrates how several viruses can be implicated in the development of hepatitis, either as single agents or via cross-activation of T cells. The nosography of hepatitis, therefore, and the optimum therapeutic choices, can puzzle the clinical team