Modelling Contiki-Based IoT Systems

In this paper, we investigate how model-driven engineering (MDE) of Internet of Things (IoT) systems and Wireless-Sensor Networks (WSN) can be supported and introduce a domain-specific metamodel for modeling such systems based on the well-known Contiki operating system. The unique lightweight thread structure of Contiki makes it more preferable in the implementation of new IoT systems instead of many other existing platforms. Although some MDE approaches exist for IoT systems and WSNs, currently there is no study which addresses the modelling according to the specifications of Contiki platform. The work presented in this paper aims at filling this gap and covers the development of both a modeling language syntax and a graphical modeling environment for the MDE of IoTs according to event-driven mechanism and protothread architecture of Contiki. Use of the proposed modeling language is demonstrated with including the development of an IoT system for forest fire detection

Contamination of Low Frictional Elastomeric Ligatures by Streptococcus mutans: A Prospective RT-PCR and AFM Study

Objective: To compare Streptococcus mutans colonization between low-friction elastomeric ligatures and to correlate microbial colonization levels with the surface roughness status.Methods: The study included 160 premolars of 10 patients. During the study period, which consisted of 4 sessions each lasting 4 weeks, the ligature types Slide™ Low-Friction Ligature (Leone, Firenze, Italy), Tough-O Energy™ (Rocky Mountain Orthodontics, Denver, USA), and Sili Ties™ (Dentsply Sirona, Surrey KT13 0NY, UK), and steel ligatures (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, USA) as a control, were fixed to the premolar teeth by clockwise rotation among the jaw quadrants. The plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were obtained before bonding (T0), 6 weeks after bonding (T1), and subsequently every 4 weeks (T2, T3, T4). Presence of S. mutans was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction at T1, T2, T3, T4. Surface roughness was evaluated with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) before ligation (Ra0) and after (Ra1) ligation. The paired t-test, ANOVA, repeated measures of ANOVA, and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used for the statistical analysis.Results: S. mutans colonization was significantly higher on the Slide group (P .05).Conclusion:S. mutans colonization showed variations in low-friction elastomeric ligatures independent of surface roughness. Ringshaped low-friction elastomeric ligatures were not different from the steel ligature in terms of S. mutans colonization

Perioperative Complications of Urogynecologic Surgery: Our Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of perioperative complications in women who undergo urogynecologic surgery. Study Design: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent urogynecologic surgery between January 2014 and January 2016 was performed. The type of surgeries and significant perioperative complications were recorded. Intraoperative complications included, injury of nerves, bowel, bladder or ureter, intraoperative blood transfusion, conversion to laparotomy and anesthesia-related events. Results: The sample included 120 consecutive women who underwent urogynecological surgeries. The mean age of the patients was 53 (range, 34-88 years). 46% of the patients had one or more of medical problems. 55% percent of the patients had previously undergone a pelvic surgery. 70% of the patients had surgeries by vaginal approach, 10% of them had by abdominal approach and 20% of them had surgeries by laparoscopic approach. The prevalence of complications was 27.5%. This included 11 intraoperative complications (6 cases bladder injury, 2 cases transfusion) and 21 postoperative complications. Conclusion: In conclusion, the number of women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and anal incontinence continues to increase, the present study provides useful statistical data for our country