An Analytical Model for the Contention Access Period of the Slotted IEEE 802.15.4 with Service Differentiation

The IEEE 802.15.4 standard is poised to become the global standard for low data rate, low energy consumption wireless sensor networks (WSN). By assigning the same sets of contention access parameters for all data frames and nodes, the contention access period (CAP) of the slotted IEEE 802.15.4 medium access control (MAC) currently provides a priorityindependent channel access functionality and no service differentiation. Several recent WSN applications such as wireless body sensor networks, however, may require service differentiation and traffic prioritization support to accommodate potential high priority traffic (e.g., alarms or emergency alerts). By allowing different sets of access parameters and data frame lengths for different priority classes, this paper develops a Markov-chain-based analytical model of the CAP of the IEEE 802.15.4 MAC with service differentiation, under unsaturated traffic conditions. In particular, given two priority classes, our analytical model is used to evaluate the performance of a simple, yet effective, contention-window-based service differentiation strategy, in terms of the resulting throughput, average frame service time and access priority for each priority class. The accuracy of the analytical model is validated by extensive ns-2 simulation

LPS-induced TNF-α factor mediates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic pattern in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is currently considered one of the major players in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis and progression. Here, we aim to investigate the possible role of LPS-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF) in inducing a pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic phenotype of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).We found that children with NAFLD displayed, in different liver-resident cells, an increased expression of LITAF which correlated with histological traits of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Total and nuclear LITAF expression increased in mouse and human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Moreover, LPS induced LITAF-dependent transcription of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the clonal myofibroblastic HSC LX-2 cell line, and this effect was hampered by LITAF silencing. We showed, for the first time in HSCs, that LITAF recruitment to these cytokine promoters is LPS dependent. However, preventing LITAF nuclear translocation by p38MAPK inhibitor, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly reduced with the aid of p65NF-ĸB, while IL-1β transcription exclusively required LITAF expression/activity. Finally, IL-1β levels in plasma mirrored those in the liver and correlated with LPS levels and LITAF-positive HSCs in children with NASH.In conclusion, a more severe histological profile in paediatric NAFLD is associated with LITAF over-expression in HSCs, which in turn correlates with hepatic and circulating IL-1β levels outlining a panel of potential biomarkers of NASH-related liver damage. The in vitro study highlights the role of LITAF as a key regulator of the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory pattern in HSCs and suggests p38MAPK inhibitors as a possible therapeutic approach against hepatic inflammation in NASH

How Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Influences the Development of the Breast Capsule 1 Year after Implantation: A Histopathological Analysis

Background: In prepectoral breast reconstruction (PPBR) the acellular dermal matrix (ADM)'s integration capacity into the tissue is known. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the ADM on development and composition of the peri-implant breast capsule in a dynamic setting of breast tissue expansion during two-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction.Methods: This is a prospective single-center study in which 50 patients who underwent mastectomy and breast reconstruction with prepectoral tissue expander and Braxon ADM (group A) and submuscular tissue expander (group B) were enrolled. One-year post implantation hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry analyses were done on capsule tissue samples.Results: The analysis conducted on H&E-stained samples showed a significant reduction of cellular density and a decrease of the cellular infiltration in capsules of ADM-covered expanders compared with naked expander capsules (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical analyses showed that group A capsules presented significantly less M1 CD68+ macrophages (P < 0.05), lower alfa-SMA expression levels, and a lower number of myofibroblasts (P < 0.05) compared with group B capsules. Presence of lymphatic vessels was minimally detected in both groups.Conclusions: The ADM presence around the prepectoral tissue expander influences the development of the peri-implant capsule, causing a significant reduction of the number of cells and inflammatory infiltrate, especially M1 macrophages and myofibroblasts. The ADM Braxon is therefore effective in creating a noninflamed capsule around the implant and in dynamic tissue conditions, and such an environment is maintained in time

Decision support system for emergency management of oil spill accidents in the Mediterranean Sea

This paper presents an innovative web-based decision support system to facilitate emergency management in the case of oil spill accidents, called WITOIL (Where Is The Oil). The system can be applied to create a forecast of oil spill events, evaluate uncertainty of the predictions, and calculate hazards based on historical meteo-oceanographic datasets. To compute the oil transport and transformation, WITOIL uses the MEDSLIK-II oil spill model forced by operational meteo-oceanographic services. Results of the modeling are visualized through Google Maps. A special application for Android is designed to provide mobile access for competent authorities, technical and scientific institutions, and citizens

Self-assembly, binding ability and magnetic properties of dicopper(ii) pyrazolenophanes

A novel series of dinuclear copper(II) pyrazolenophanes of the formula [Cu-2(mu-4-Mepz)(2)(mu-ClO4)(ClO4)(bpm)(2)] (1), [Cu-2(mu-pz)(2)(mu-H2O)(ClO4)(4,7-Me(2)phen)(2)]ClO4 center dot H2O center dot CH3CN (2), [Cu-2(mu-pz)(2)(mu-H2O)(ClO4)(3/2)(H2O)(1/2)(phen)(2)](2)[Cu-2(mu-pz)(2)(mu-ClO4)(ClO4)(2)(phen)(2)]center dot 8H(2)O (3), and [Cu-2(mu-pz)(2)(CH3CN)(2)(3,4,7,8-Me(4)phen)(2)](ClO4)(2) (4) (Hpz = pyrazole, H-4-Mepz = 4-methylpyrazole, bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-Me(2)phen = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, and 3,4,7,8-Me(4)phen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and magneto-structurally investigated. The crystal structures of 1-4 contain bis(pyrazolate)(perchlorate)-(1 and 3), bis(pyrazolate)(aqua)-(2 and 3), or bis(pyrazolate)-bridged (4) dicopper(II) entities of the metallacyclophane-type with bpm (1), 4,7-Me(2)phen (2), phen (3), and 3,4,7,8-Me(4)phen (4) as blocking bidentate ligands. All of them exhibit a saddle conformation with an overall not planar but bent, six-membered Cu-(N-N')(2)-Cu metallacyclic core with relatively short intermetallic distances across the bis(pyrazolate)(perchlorate) [r = 3.3076(5) (1) and 3.382(1) angstrom (3)], bis(pyrazolate)(aqua) [r = 3.383(1) (2) and 3.357(1) angstrom (3)], and bis(pyrazolate) bridges [r = 3.098(1) angstrom (4)]. The analyses of the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility of 1-4 reveal the occurrence of a moderately strong antiferromagnetic coupling across the bis(pyrazolate)(perchlorate) [-J = 228 (1) and 193 cm(-1) (3)], bis(pyrazolate)(aqua) [-J = 189 (2) and 221 cm(-1) (3)], and bis(pyrazolate) bridges [-J = 197 cm(-1) (4)] (the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = -JS(1).S-2 with S-1 = S-2 = S-Cu = 1/2).A novel series of dinuclear copper(II) pyrazolenophanes of the formula [Cu2(μ-4-Mepz)2(μ-ClO4)(ClO4)(bpm)2] (1), [Cu2(μ-pz)2(μ-H2O)(ClO4)(4,7-Me2phen)2]ClO4·H2O·CH3CN (2), [Cu2(μ-pz)2(μ-H2O)(ClO4)3/2(H2O)1/2(phen)2]2[Cu2(μ-pz)2(μ-ClO4)(ClO4)2(phen)2]·8H2O183437449COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESsem informaçãoThis work was supported by the Ministerio Español de Economía y Competitividad (Project CTQ2013-44844P and Unidad de Excelencia MDM-2015-0538) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/070). We also acknowledge the financial support from Brazilian

BLITZ-HF: a nationwide initiative to evaluate and improve adherence to acute and chronic heart failure guidelines

To assess adherence to guideline recommendations among a large network of Italian cardiology sites in the management of acute and chronic heart failure (HF) and to evaluate if an ad-hoc educational intervention can improve their performance on several pharmacological and non-pharmacological indicators

Physical Activity in young female outpatients with BORderline personality Disorder (PABORD): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Background: Current treatments for mental disorders, like pharmacotherapy or psychological approaches, do not lead to full remission in all individuals. Physical activity (PA) is effective at improving psycho-physical health in major depressive and anxiety disorders. However, the efficacy of PA as an adjunctive treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) has not been studied. To date, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for this severe condition and limited accessibility to effective psychotherapeutic interventions. This study tests the efficacy of a structured PA programme as an additional treatment for BPD outpatients. Methods: The PABORD is a randomised controlled trial for female outpatients (18-40&nbsp;years) with a BPD diagnosis. The intervention group (n = 32) will participate in a 12-week structured PA programme supervised by a sport medicine physician and preceded by three psychoeducation sessions on healthy eating habits. The control group (n = 32) will receive a 12-week psychoeducation programme on PA, diet, and health risks of a sedentary lifestyle for a total of 8 sessions. The study aims to determine if the PA intervention is superior to the control in reducing BPD symptoms. Secondary aims include improving PA levels and physical and psychological health. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 3&nbsp;months post-intervention. Discussion: The structured PA programme is expected to outperform the control group in terms of health and PA outcomes at the end of the intervention. Repeated assessments will also help to identify psychosocial factors that influence PA maintenance. Findings will support the potential widespread implementation of PA programmes for BPD treatment. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06461104. Registered on 6 June 2024 {2a}

Determinants of Quality of Life in Ageing Populations: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Finland, Poland and Spain

PURPOSE: To comprehensively identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) in a population study sample of persons aged 18-50 and 50+. METHODS: In this observational, cross-sectional study, QoL was measured with the WHOQOL-AGE, a brief instrument designed to measure QoL in older adults. Eight hierarchical regression models were performed to identify determinants of QoL. Variables were entered in the following order: Sociodemographic; Health Habits; Chronic Conditions; Health State description; Vision and Hearing; Social Networks; Built Environment. In the final model, significant variables were retained. The final model was re-run using data from the three countries separately. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 5639 participants, mean age 46.3 (SD 18.4). The final model accounted for 45% of QoL variation and the most relevant contribution was given by sociodemographic data (particularly age, education level and living in Finland: 17.9% explained QoL variation), chronic conditions (particularly depression: 4.6%) and a wide and rich social network (4.6%). Other determinants were presence of disabling pain, learning difficulties and visual problems, and living in usable house that is perceived as non-risky. Some variables were specifically associated to QoL in single countries: age in Poland, alcohol consumption in Spain, angina in Finland, depression in Spain, and self-reported sadness both in Finland and Poland, but not in Spain. Other were commonly associated to QoL: smoking status, bodily aches, being emotionally affected by health problems, good social network and home characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of modifiable determinants of QoL, and provide public health indications that could support concrete actions at country level. In particular, smoking cessation, increasing the level of physical activity, improving social network ties and applying universal design approach to houses and environmental infrastructures could potentially increase QoL of ageing population