OF-ECF ::a new optimization of the objective function for parent selection in RPL

The RPL routing protocol is designed to respond to the requirements of a large range of Low-power and Lossy Networks (LLNs). RPL uses an objective function (OF) to build the route toward a destination based on routing metrics. Considering only a single metric, some network performances can be improved while others may be degraded. In this paper, we present a flexible Objective Function based on Expected Transmission Count (ETX), Consumed Energy and Forwarding Delay (OF-ECF) built on a combination of metrics using an additive method. The main goal of this proposed solution is to balance energy consumption and minimize the average delay. To improve the reliability of the network, a flexible routing scheme that provides the diversity of paths and a higher availability is presented. Simulations results show that the new objective function OF-ECF outperforms the OF-FUZZY, and the standards OF0 and MRHOF. In terms of network lifetime and reliability

Repeat peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis : A cohort study

Introduction: The understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of repeat peritonitis, defined as the occurrence of peritonitis more than 4 weeks after the end of appropriate antibiotic treatment for a previous episode involving the same germ, remains limited. Methods: We studied the outcomes of 26 episodes of repeat peritonitis between 2006 and 2024 (Repeat Group) and compared them with 23 episodes of relapsing peritonitis (Relapse Group) and 84 episodes of peritonitis preceded by 4 weeks or more by another episode with a different organism (Control Group). Results: The majority of cases of repeat peritonitis are caused by gram-positive organisms (65.5%), predominantly Staphylococcus aureus (38.5%), whereas most episodes of relapsing peritonitis are culture-negative (69.5%), followed by gram-negative bacilli episodes (17.4%). Exit site infection is significantly associated with PD peritonitis. Gram-positive cocci are responsible for 95.5% of exit site infections, mainly due to Staphylococcus aureus. In the Repeat Group, 14 (66%) patients achieved primary response, and 10 (47%) of them reached complete cure. After the first episode of repeat peritonitis, 3 (14%) patients had their catheter removed and were transferred to long-term hemodialysis. ; however, the risk of developing relapsing peritonitis was 4.7%, and recurrent peritonitis was 9.5%. Conclusion: The definition of repeat peritonitis is clear. Despite a favorable outcome with antibiotic treatment, the risk of further episodes of peritonitis remains high, threatening the time on peritoneal dialysis therapy and the life of the patient.

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

A Novel Approach for RPL Assessment Based on the Objective Function and Trickle Optimizations

The ROLL working group proposed the RPL (IPv6 routing protocol for low-power and lossy networks) to respond to the requirements of low-power and lossy networks (LLNs). In this paper, we propose a new approach to assess the RPL performances based on its main components, namely, the objective function (OF) and the trickle algorithm. To this end, we compare between the RPL-EC (RPL based combined ETX and energy consumption) and the RPL-FL (RPL based on the flexible trickle algorithm). This paper compares the two implementations to assess the weight of each proposed improvement against the standard RPL. The results show that RPL performances are greatly influenced by the change of both the objective function and trickle algorithm. RPL-FL provides best values in terms of overhead, packet delivery ratio (PDR), and energy consumption, while RPL-EC acts better with the convergence time and the network lifetime compared to the standard RPL

A Novel Compact Header for Traffic Steering in Service Function Chaining

| openaire: EC/H2020/723172/EU//5GPagodaLarge-scale networking infrastructures such as service providers deploy complex services to deal with the growing network traffic demand, security concerns, and user preferences. Using Service Function Chaining (SFC) , a set of networking and management operations, permits to steer the traffic through a list of intermediate services. Traffic steering for SFC is usually based on packet headers to share the SFC information, however such headers introduce encapsulation overhead and require service functions support. In this paper, we present a novel traffic steering technique based on a compact SFC header. The proposed header does not increase the packet size and allows network operators to deploy SFC using legacy service functions. We also present a new SDN architecture for SFC based on compact headers. Our proposal permits a scalable and a flexible SFC deployment in real-life infrastructures.Peer reviewe

Service Function Chaining in 5G & Beyond Networks : Challenges and Open Research Issues

| openaire: EC/H2020/871780/EU//MonB5GService Function Chaining (SFC) is a trending paradigm, which has helped to introduce unseen flexibility in telecom networks. Network service providers, as well as big network infrastructure providers, are competing to offer personalized services for their customers. Hence, added value services require the invocation of various elementary functions called Service Functions (SFs). The SFC concept composes and imposes the order in which SFs are invoked for a particular service. Emerging technologies such as Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization support the dynamic creation and management of SFC. Even though SFC is an active technical area where several aspects were already standardized and many SFC architecture flavors are currently deployed, yet some challenges and open issues are still to be solved. In this paper, we present different research problems related to SFC and investigate several key challenges that should be addressed to realize more reliable SFC operations.Peer reviewe