A1: An energy efficient topology control algorithm for connected area coverage in wireless sensor networks

Energy consumption in Wireless Sensor Networks(WSN’s) is of paramount importance, which is demonstrated by the large number of algorithms, techniques, and protocols that have been developed to save energy, and thereby extend the lifetime of the network. However, in the context of WSN’s routing and dissemination, Connected Dominating Set (CDS) principle has emerged as the most popular method for energy-efficient topology control (TC) in WSN’s. In a CDS-based topology control technique, a virtual backbone is formed which allows communication between any arbitrary pair of nodes in the network. In this paper, we present a CDS based topology control protocol – A1 – which forms an energy efficient virtual backbone. In our simulations, we compare the performance of A1 with three prominent CDS-based protocols namely Energy-efficient CDS (EECDS), CDS Rule K and A3. The results demonstrate that A1 performs consistently better in terms of message overhead and other selected metrics. Moreover, the A1 protocol not only achieves better connectivity under topology maintenance but also provides better sensing coverage when compared with the other protocols

Alt üriner sistem semptomlu hastalarda cinsel disfonksiyonun araştırılması, testosteron, leptin, kan lipidleri ile ilişkisi: Alfa bloker (Tamsulosin) tedavisi sonrası yeniden değerlendirme

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH and erectile dysfunction (ED) are common problems in aging male. In this study, we aimed to determine the causes of the relationship between LUTS and ED, and the possible effects of body mass index (BMI), serum leptin, free testosterone (fT) and lipid levels on LUTS and ED etiology. Materials and Methods: Between June 2003 and February 2004, 46 patients were recruited in this study. All patients underwent physical examination including digital rectal examination, urine analysis, uroflowmetry and residual urine volume assessment. Serum leptin, lipid and free testosterone levels were analyzed. All patients' BMI were determined. Thirty-three patients received alpha blocker treatment and 13 patients were in the watchful waiting group. Erectile capacity and voiding symptoms of the patients were analyzed with International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), respectively before and after alpha blocker treatments. Ejaculatory function was assessed with Danish Prostate Symptom Score sexual-function questionnaire (DAN-PSSsex). Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test, Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: There was a negative correlation between IPSS and IIEF (p;lt;0.05). The incidences of ED in patients with LUTS were 50%, 81.8% and 69.2% in patients with mild, moderate and severe symptom, respectively. The frequency of erectile dysfunction was very high in patients especially with moderate symptoms. After alpha blocker treatment the percentage of patients with mild symptoms decreased, but those with moderate and severe symptoms increased. In our study there was no significant correlation between IIEF and fT levels but the mean level of fT in patients with ED was under 15 ng/ml. There was no correlation between serum lipid levels and the other parameters. Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between LUTS and ED. As the severity of LUTS increases the incidence of ED increases. Alpha blocker treatment seems to slightly increase the incidence of ED and ejaculatory problems. Patients with LUTS and ED have lower levels of fT, but this is not statistically significant. There is no correlation between serum lipids and other parameters. Leptin levels might be important in predicting LUTS and ED relationship for future research.Çalışmamızda, alt üriner sistem semptomları (AÜSS) ve erektil disfonksiyon (ED) birlikteliğin olası nedenlerini ve bu nedenler ile bazı değişkenlerin (vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ), serum leptin, serbest testosteron (sT), kan lipidleri) ilişkisini incelemeyi amaçladık. Temmuz 2003-Şubat 2004 arası 46 hasta çalışmaya alındı. Tüm hastalara parmakla rektal muayeneyi içeren fizik muayene, tam idrar analizi, idrar akım hızı ve rezidüel idrar volümü incelemesi yapılmıştır. Ayrıca hastaların serum lipid değerleri, serum serbest testosteron düzeyleri ve serum leptin düzeyleri ölçülmüştür. Hastaların VKİ'leri belirlenmiştir. Hastaların semptom süreleri belirlenerek IPSS, IIEF ve DAN-PSS seks soru formları ile tedavi öncesi ve sonrası AÜSS, erektil fonksiyon ve ejakülatuar durumları incelendi. AÜSS skoru ile ED semptom skoru arasında negatif bir korelasyon tespit edilmiştir (p0.05). Alfa bloker tedavisi sonrası hafif ED sıklığında azalma saptanırken, orta ve şiddetli ED formlarında artış saptanmıştır. IIEF ile serbest testosteron arasında anlamlı bir korelasyon görülmemiştir. Kan lipidleri ile çalışılan hiçbir parametre arasında bağlantı tespit edilmemiştir. Leptin düzeyi ED olan grupta ED olmayan gruba göre daha düşük saptanmıştır. AÜSS için ilaç kullanımı önerilen hastaların çoğunda AÜSS'de gerileme ancak ED'de ve ejakülatuar sorunlarda artış tespit edilmiştir. AÜSS'nin şiddeti arttıkça ereksiyon kaybı da artmaktadır. AÜSS ile gelen ve medikal tedavi ihtiyacı olan hastaların özellikle ED açısından değerlendirilmesi önemlidir. Gelecekteki çalışmalarda, AÜSS ve ED birlikteliğini öngörmede leptin seviyeleri önem kazanabilir

Is there any association between EBV infection and carotid artery stenosis?

Objective: Atherosclerosis is the mainly etiologic factor of coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease and peripheral artery disease. In our study, we aimed to show the presence and effect of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) on the carotid artery stenosis leading chronic inflammatory process by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and causing atherosclerosis. Material and methods: Between April 2017 and April 2018, thirty-six patients, who underwent carotid endarterectomy at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty, are included in this study upon their consent. Each voluntary patient was initially recorded for age, sex, height and weight. Among 36 patients included in the study, 58.3% (n = 21) were male and 41.7% (n = 15) were female. The comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus were considered. Results: There was not significant difference in EBV (DNA) positivity according to hyperlipidemia presence, sex, and age factors. However, the EBV (DNA) positivity was higher in the patients with co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus; no significant difference was detected. EBV (DNA) positivity in patients with bilateral carotid artery stenosis was 42.1% and it was 0% in patients without bilateral carotid artery stenosis (p: 0,002). The EBV (DNA) positivity was significantly higher in patients with bilateral carotid artery stenosis Conclusion: We believe that our significantly high EBV (DNA) rates in the patients with bilateral carotid artery stenosis may encourage the studies that claim the role of viral etiology on atherosclerosis, however, further studies are needed

Topikal hemostatik ajanların travmalı olgularda güncel kullanım esasları

ÖZETSivil ve askeri travmalarda önlenebilir ölümlerin en sık nedeni kanamalardır. Özellikle ekstremitelerde meydanagelen yaralanmalarda basit kanama kontrolü ve turnike uygulanabilirken aksiller ve femoral bölge yaralanmalar›nda hemostaz zor sa¤lanmaktad›r. Bu yaz›da posttravmatik kanamal› olgularda kullan›lmas› önerilen topikal hemostatik ajanlar›n literatür eflli¤inde gözden geçirilmesi amaçland›. Topikal hemostatik ajanlarla ilgili mevcut bilgilerin,az say›da olgu sunumuna, ço¤unlu¤u deneysel çal›flmalardan elde edilen verilere ve sahraya ait baz› kiflisel yorumlara dayand›¤›, ürünler aras›nda klinik kullan›m›na ait ileriye dönük randomize kontrollü çal›flmalara rastlanmad›¤›gözlendi. Kanamaya ba¤l› geliflen mortaliteyi azaltmaya yönelik topikal hemostat uygulamas›na dair de¤erlendirmelerin yüksek kan›t düzeyli çal›flmalar ile desteklenmesine ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Anahtar sözcükler: Topikal hemostat; kanamaSUMMARYHemorrhage is the most common cause of preventable deaths both in civilian and military trauma. Simple hemorrhage control and tourniquets can be applied in extremity injuries but hemostasis in the axillary and femoralregion is rather challenging. In this study, results on the efficacy of topical hemostatic agents in post-traumatichemorrhages reported in the literature are reviewed. As conclusion, current information on topical hemostaticagents depend upon a few case reports, data from mostly experimental studies and subjective evaluations in thefield, but there are no prospective, randomized studies with control group. Evaluations regarding the use of topical hemostatic agents to reduce the mortality need to be supported by studies with higher level of evidence.Key words: Topical hemostat; hemorrhage.</p

A surgical method to be reminded for the treatment of symptomatic ipsilateral central venous occlusions in patients with hemodialysis access: Axillo-axillary venous bypass case report and review of the literature

Background In this case report, we present two chronic hemodialysis patients with upper extremity swelling due to central venous occlusions together with their clinical presentation, surgical management and brief review of the literature. Methods The first patient who was a 63-year-old female patient with a history of multiple bilateral arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) was referred to our clinic. Physical examination demonstrated a functioning right brachio-cephalic AVF, with severe edema of the right arm, dilated venous collaterals, facial edema, and unilateral breast enlargement. In her history, multiple ipsilateral subclavian venous catheterizations were present for sustaining temporary hemodialysis access. The second patient was a 47-year-old male with a history of failed renal transplant, CABG surgery, multiple AV fistula procedures from both extremities, leg amputation caused by peripheral arterial disease, and decreased myocardial functions. He was receiving 3/7 hemodialysis and admitted to our clinic with right arm edema, accompanied by pain, stiffness, and skin hyperpigmentation symptoms ipsilateral to a functioning brachio-basilic AVF. He was not able to flex his arms, elbow, or wrist due to severe edema. Results Venography revealed right subclavian vein stenosis with patent contralateral central veins in the first patient. She underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) twice with subsequent re-occlusions. After failed attempts of PTA, the patient was scheduled for axillo-axillary venous bypass in order to preserve the AV access function. In second patient, venography revealed right subclavian vein occlusion caused secondary to the subclavian venous catheters. Previous attempts for percutaneously crossing the chronic subclavian lesion failed multiple times by different centers. Hence, the patient was scheduled for axillo-axillary venous bypass surgery. Conclusion In case of chronic venous occlusions, endovascular procedures may be ineffective. Since preserving the vascular access function is crucial in this particular patient population, venous bypass procedures should be kept in mind as an alternative for central venous reconstruction, before deciding on ligation and relocation of the AVF

MEA: an energy efficient algorithm for dense sector-based wireless sensor networks

In this article, first the energy efficiency of sector-shaped wireless sensor networks is analytically investigated. Based on this study, it is shown that the efficiency of existing data propagation algorithms which consider equal ring width is not optimal and may be improved further. Then, we introduce an energy efficient algorithm for these networks which is called minimum energy algorithm (MEA). The detailed analysis verifies that the proposed algorithm has the minimum energy consumption. Although the main emphasis of the proposed technique is on minimizing the energy, it somehow balances the energy consumption in the sector-shaped network as well. In addition, it is shown that the proposed idea can be applied to all existing energy balancing algorithms. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is studied for networks with different sizes and node densities. The results show that, for example, for a network with a radius of 440 m and four rings when the MEA algorithm is combined with an efficient full power control algorithm (based on equal ring width), the energy conservation increases 50% more. Finally, the results show that the energy conservation of the proposed algorithm increases with the network size.Peer reviewe