Energy consumption management in Smart Homes: An M-Bus communication system

Energy consumption management in Smart Home environments relies on the implementation of systems of cooperative intelligent objects named Smart Meters. In order for devices to cooperate to smart metering applications' execution, they need to make their information available. In this paper we propose a framework that aims at managing energy consumption of controllable appliances in groups of Smart Homes belonging to the same neighbourhood or condominium. We consider not only electric power distribution, but also alternative energy sources such as solar panels. We define a communication paradigm based on M-Bus for the acquisition of relevant data by managing nodes. We also provide a lightweight algorithm for the distribution of the available alternative power among houses. Performance evaluation of experiments in simulation mode prove that the proposed framework does not jeopardise the lifetime of Smart Meters, particularly in typical situations where managed devices do not continuously turn on and off

Montseciella, a new orbitolinid genus (Foraminiferida) from the Uppermost Hauterivian -Early Barremian of SW Europe

Montseciella, a new larger foraminiferal orbitolinid genus, is established. It comprises: M. glanensis (Foury, 1968) (uppermost Late Hauterivian to basal Early Barremian) from Serra del Montsec (Lleida Prov., Catalonian Pyrenees, Spain), Basse Provence (France) and the French Subalpine Chains, and its direct phylogenetic descendant M. alguerensis n. sp. (higher Early Barremian) from NW Sardinia (Italy). These two species represent the lower part of a phylogenetic lineage to which also belong 'Dictyoconus' arabicus Henson, 1948 and Rectodictyoconus giganteus Schroeder, 1964, occuring in the Late Barremian and lowermost Early Aptian. Key words: Foraminifers, Orbitolinidae, Catalonian Pyrenees (Spain), Sardinia (Italy), Subalpine Chains (France), Provence (France), Hauterivian, Barremian.Se establece Montseciella, un nuevo género de foraminíferos de gran tamaño, perteneciente a la familia Orbitolinidae. Este nuevo taxón incluye: M. glanensis (Foury, 1968) (Hauteriviense superior terminal - Barremiense inferior basal), encontrandose en la Serra del Montsec (Prov. de Lleida, Pirineo Catalán, España) y en la Baja Provenza y las Cadenas Subalpinas (Francia), y su descendiente directo M. alguerensis n. sp. (Barremiense inferior no basal) de Cerdeña (Italia). Los dos especies representan la parte inferior de una línea filogenética, a la cual pertenecen también 'Dictyoconus' arabicus Henson, 1948 y Rectodictyoconus giganteus Schroeder, 1964, del Barremiense superior y Aptiense inferior basal. Palabras clave: Foraminíferos, Orbitolinidae, Pirineo Catalan (España), Cerdeña (Italia), Cadenas Subalpinas (Francia), Provenza (Francia), Hauteriviense, Barremiens

Hallazgo de Paracoskinolina pertenuis Foury (Orbitolinidae) en el Barremiense inferior del Pirineo catalán: reflexiones sobre su posición sistemática y filogenética

A sample of Early Barremian age from the Roca de Narieda (Lleida Prov., Catalonian Pyrenees, Spain) has furnished the orbitolinid Foraminifera Paracoskinolina pertenuis Foury, 1968 and Eopalorbitolina charollaisi Schroeder & Conrad, 1968. P. pertenuis sensu Foury is a mixture of at least three species belonging to different genera. Its holotype has to be assigned to the genus Eopalorbitolina. E. pertenuis is regarded as the direct ancestor of E. charollaisi and the most primitive representative of the phylogenetical lineage Eopalorbitolina - Palorbitolina gr. lenticularis. Key words: Foraminifers, Orbitolinidae, Catalonian Pyrenees (Spain), Alpilles (France), Barremian, Systematics, Phylogeny.En una muestra del Barremiense inferior, proveniente de la Roca de Narieda (Organyà, provincia de Lleida, Pirineo catalán, España), se ha encontrado Paracoskinolina pertenuis Foury, 1968, asociada con Eopalorbitolina charollaisi Schroeder & Conrad, 1968. P. pertenuis sensu Foury es una mezcla de por lo menos tres taxones diferentes. Su holotipo pertenece al género Eopalorbitolina. E. pertenuis está considerada como el antecesor directo de E. charollaisi y el representante más primitivo de la línea filogenética Eopalorbitolina - Palorbitolina gr. lenticularis Palabras clave: Foraminíferos, Orbitolinidae, Pirineo catalán (España), Alpilles (Francia), Barremiense, Sistemática, Filogenia

Deterministic Linear Time Constrained Triangulation using Simplified Earcut

Triangulation algorithms that conform to a set of non-intersecting input segments typically proceed in an incremental fashion, by inserting points first, and then segments. Inserting a segment amounts to: (1) deleting all the triangles it intersects; (2) filling the so generated hole with two polygons that have the wanted segment as shared edge; (3) triangulate each polygon separately. In this paper we prove that these polygons are such that all their convex vertices but two can be used to form triangles in an earcut fashion, without the need to check whether other polygon points are located within each ear. The fact that any simple polygon contains at least three convex vertices guarantees the existence of a valid ear to cut, ensuring convergence. Not only this translates to an optimal deterministic linear time triangulation algorithm, but such algorithm is also trivial to implement. We formally prove the correctness of our approach, also validating it in practical applications and comparing it with prior art

Clinical strategies to aim an adequate safety profile for patients and effective training for surgical residents: The laparoscopic cholecystectomy model

Background Training programs for resident surgeons represent a challenge for the mentoring activity. The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of our training program for laparoscopic cholecystectomy on patient's safety and on the modulation of the residents' exposure to clinical scenario with different grades of complexity. Material and methods This is a retrospective study based on a clinical series of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in a teaching hospital. Study population was grouped according to the expertise of the attending primary operator among resident surgeons. Four groups were identified: consultant (C), senior resident (SR); intermediate level resident (IR); junior resident (JR). The intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were confronted to evaluate the patient's safety profile. Results 447 patients were submitted to LC: 96 cases were operated by a C, 200 by SR, 112 by IR and 39 by JR. The mean operative time was the longest for the JR group. A statistically higher rate of conversion to open approach was registered in C and IR groups in comparison to JR and SR groups. However, in C and IR groups, patients had worse ASA score, higher BMI and more frequent past history of previous abdominal surgery, cholecystitis or pancreatitis. Overall, it was not registered any statistically significant difference among the groups in terms of length of hospital stay and prevalence of major postoperative complications. Conclusion Applying an educational model based on both graduated levels of responsibility and modulated grade of clinical complexity can guarantee an high safety profile

Pulmonary transit time as a marker of diastolic dysfunction in Takotsubo syndrome

AIM: To evaluate the pulmonary transit time (PTT) and its derived parameters using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) as markers of diastolic dysfunction in Takotsubo syndrome (TS) and its relationship with transthoracic echocardiography and CMRI parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with TS, who exhibited diastolic dysfunction as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, were enrolled retrospectively and the PTT, pulmonary transit time index (PTTI), and pulmonary blood volume index (PBVI) were evaluated using first-pass CMRI. PTT was calculated as the number of cardiac cycles required for a bolus of contrast agent to move from the right ventricle (RV) to the left ventricle (LV), whereas PTTI represents the PTT interval corrected for the heart rate. Finally, PBVI was calculated as the product of PTTI, and RV stroke volume indexed for body surface area. Normal references of PTT, PTTI, and PBVI were evaluated in a cohort of 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared with healthy subjects, TS patients showed significantly higher PTT, PTTI, and PBVI (p=0.0001, p=0.0001, and p=0.002, respectively). Using multivariable logistic regression, PBVI provided the best differentiation between TS and controls (AUC 0.84). PBVI was significantly associated with the index of diastolic dysfunction and left atrial strain parameters. In addition, PBVI demonstrated a significant correlation with global T2 mapping (r=0,520, p=0,019). CONCLUSION: PTT and the derived parameters, as assessed using first-pass CMRI, are potential tools for assessing LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with TS

When, where, and why should we look for vestibular dysfunction in people with diabetes mellitus?

The biochemistry of diabetes mellitus results in multi-system tissue compromise that reduces functional mobility and interferes with disease management. Sensory system compromise, such as peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy, are specific examples of tissue compromise detrimental to functional mobility. There is lack of clarity regarding if, when, and where parallel changes in the peripheral vestibular system, an additional essential sensory system for functional mobility, occur as a result of diabetes. Given the systemic nature of diabetes and the plasticity of the vestibular system, there is even less clarity regarding if potential vestibular system changes impact functional mobility in a meaningful fashion. This commentary will provide insight as to when we should employ diagnostic vestibular function tests in people with diabetes, where in the periphery we should look, and why testing may or may not matter. The commentary concludes with recommendations for future research and clinical care

Defining Configurable Virtual Reality Templates for End Users

This paper proposes a solution for supporting end users in configuring Virtual Reality environments by exploiting reusable templates created by experts. We identify the roles participating in the environment development and the means for delegating part of the behaviour definition to the end users. We focus in particular on enabling end users to define the environment behaviour. The solution exploits a taxonomy defining common virtual objects having high-level actions for specifying event-condition-Action rules readable as natural language sentences. End users exploit such actions to define the environment behaviour. We report on a proof-of-concept implementation of the proposed approach, on its validation through two different case studies (virtual shop and museum), and on evaluating the approach with expert users

Phenotypic expansion of DGKE-associated diseases.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is usually characterized by uncontrolled complement activation. The recent discovery of loss-of-function mutations in DGKE in patients with aHUS and normal complement levels challenged this observation. DGKE, encoding diacylglycerol kinase-ε, has not been implicated in the complement cascade but hypothetically leads to a prothrombotic state. The discovery of this novel mechanism has potential implications for the treatment of infants with aHUS, who are increasingly treated with complement blocking agents. In this study, we used homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing to identify a novel truncating mutation in DGKE (p.K101X) in a consanguineous family with patients affected by thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by significant serum complement activation and consumption of the complement fraction C3. Aggressive plasma infusion therapy controlled systemic symptoms and prevented renal failure, suggesting that this treatment can significantly affect the natural history of this aggressive disease. Our study expands the clinical phenotypes associated with mutations in DGKE and challenges the benefits of complement blockade treatment in such patients. Mechanistic studies of DGKE and aHUS are, therefore, essential to the design of appropriate therapeutic strategies in patients with DGKE mutations

Low cadmium concentration in whole blood from residents of Northern Sardinia (Italy) with special reference to smoking habits

Introduction. The present study was initiated to investigate the cadmium concentrations in whole blood of Northern Sardinian, non-occupationally exposed adult subjects. Sardinia is a large Italian island which differs genetically and environmentally from other mainland Italian areas. Methods. Two hundred and forty-three adults (157 females and 86 males) were selected in the study area from subjects who were undergoing blood collection for laboratory analysis during the period January 2005-May 2005. Whole blood was analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a Zeeman-effect background corrector (Perkin Elmer ZL5100) and an auto sampler. The adopted analytical procedure uses the Stabilized Platform Temperature Furnace (STPF) technique. Results. The mean value of Blood Cadmium Concentration (BCdC), expressed as Geometric Mean, was 0.32 mg/l (CI 95%: 0.31-0.34 mg/l) significantly ranging from 0.27 mg/l (CI 95%: 0.26-0.29 mg/l) in non-smokers to 0.34 mg/l (CI 95%: 0.30-0.39 mg/l) in ex-smokers up to 0.47 mg/l (CI 95%: 0.42-0.53 mg/l) in smokers (p inf. 0.0001). Discussion. The results show that BCdC levels in Northern Sar- dinian non-occupationally exposed adults are lower than levels found in many other regions, including those within Italy. Nev- ertheless, similar values have been detected in other European countries and cities. Conclusions. In relation to other reports in which data were analysed by strata for smoking habit and age, we found similar BCdC values among non smokers. However, Sardinian smokers seem to show lower levels of blood cadmium