Evaluation of ZigBee Topology Effect on Throughput and End to End Delay Due to Different Transmission Bands for IoT Applications

ZigBee is widely used in wireless network in Internet of Things (IoT) applications to remotely sensing and automation due to its unique characteristics compared to other wireless networks. According to ZigBee classification of IEEE 802.15.4 standard, the network consists of four layers. The ZigBee topology is represented in second layer. Furthermore, the ZigBee topology consists of three topologies, star, tree and mesh. Also there are many transmission bands allowed in physical layer, such as 2.4 GHz, 915 MHz, 868 MHz. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of ZigBee topologies on End to End delay and throughput for different transmission bands. Riverbed Modeler is used to simulate multiple ZigBee proposed scenarios and collect the results. The results of the study recommend which topology should be used at each transmission band to provide lowest End to End delay or obtain maximum throughput, which is case sensitive in some IoT applications that required for example minimum delay time or sending high amount of data

Synergistic Factors Affecting Catalytic Performance of Fe(II) Phthalocyanine @ Titania-Pillared Bentonite Nanocomposites in Styrene Production

The hybrid nanocatalytic system under study consisted of iron (II) phthalocyanine complex (FePc) of 0.5 – ~10 wt % loading immobilized in the bentonite interlayers modified by pillaring with titania nanoparticles (88 nm). Various interactions facing FePc complex were discussed through the changes in different characteristics assessed by adopting XRD, FTIR, ICP-EDX, TGA-DrTGA, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption and H2-chemisorption techniques. Intercalated FePc molecules could evolve excessive silanol and aluminol sites through interaction with various clay-interlayer sites and titania pillar. By applying this FePc @ Ti-PILB nanocomposite in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene, synergistic combination of factors influencing selective production of styrene confirmed the optimum turnover frequency with maximum selectivity to styrene at 3.4 wt % FePc loading. Below this loading, redox pair factor linked with dispersion and orientation mode of FePc was predominating. In higher loaded samples of considerable silanol sites, clay acid-base pair balance became prevailing

BB-ML: Basic Block Performance Prediction using Machine Learning Techniques

Recent years have seen the adoption of Machine Learning (ML) techniques to predict the performance of large-scale applications, mostly at a coarse level. In contrast, we propose to use ML techniques for performance prediction at a much finer granularity, namely at the Basic Block (BB) level, which are single entry, single exit code blocks that are used for analysis by the compilers to break down a large code into manageable pieces. We extrapolate the basic block execution counts of GPU applications and use them for predicting the performance for large input sizes from the counts of smaller input sizes. We train a Poisson Neural Network (PNN) model using random input values as well as the lowest input values of the application to learn the relationship between inputs and basic block counts. Experimental results show that the model can accurately predict the basic block execution counts of 16 GPU benchmarks. We achieve an accuracy of 93.5% in extrapolating the basic block counts for large input sets when trained on smaller input sets and an accuracy of 97.7% in predicting basic block counts on random instances. In a case study, we apply the ML model to CUDA GPU benchmarks for performance prediction across a spectrum of applications. We use a variety of metrics for evaluation, including global memory requests and the active cycles of tensor cores, ALU, and FMA units. Results demonstrate the model's capability of predicting the performance of large datasets with an average error rate of 0.85% and 0.17% for global and shared memory requests, respectively. Additionally, to address the utilization of the main functional units in Ampere architecture GPUs, we calculate the active cycles for tensor cores, ALU, FMA, and FP64 units and achieve an average error of 2.3% and 10.66% for ALU and FMA units while the maximum observed error across all tested applications and units reaches 18.5%.Comment: Accepted at the 29th IEEE International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Systems (ICPADS 2023

Intraoperative endomanometric laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication improves postoperative outcomes in large sliding hiatus hernia with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. A retrospective cohort study

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF) is the gold standard surgical intervention for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). LNF can be followed by recurrent symptoms or complications affecting patient satisfaction. The aim of this study is to assess the value of the intraoperative endomanometric evaluation of esophagogastric competence and pressure combined with LNF in patients with large sliding hiatus hernia (> 5 cm) with severe GERD (DeMeester score >100). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study. Baseline characteristics, postoperative dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome, recurrent symptoms, and satisfaction were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Outcomes analyzed included recurrent reflux symptoms, postoperative side effects, and satisfaction with surgery. Results: 360 patients were stratified into endomanometric LNF (180 patients, LNF+) and LNF alone (180 patients, LNF). Recurrent heartburn (3.9% vs. 8.3%) and recurrent regurgitation (2.2% vs. 5%) showed a lower incidence in the LNF+ group (P=0.012). Postoperative score III recurrent heartburn and score III regurgitations occurred in 0% vs. 3.3% and 0% vs. 2.8% cases in the LNF+ and LNF groups, respectively (P=0.005). Postoperative persistent dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome occurred in 1.75% vs. 5.6% and 0% vs. 3.9% of patients (P=0.001). Score III postoperative persistent dysphagia was 0% vs. 2.8% in the two groups (P=0.007). There was no redo surgery for dysphagia after LNF+. Patient satisfaction at the end of the study was 93.3% vs. 86.7% in both cohorts, respectively (P=0.05). Conclusions: Intraoperative high-resolution manometry (HRM) and endoscopic were feasible in all patients, and the outcomes were favorable from an effectiveness and safety standpoint

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

BM-MSCs alleviate diabetic nephropathy in male rats by regulating ER stress, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a chronic kidney disease, is a major cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising option to mitigate several diabetic complications.Methods: In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in a rat model of STZ-induced DN. After the confirmation of diabetes, rats were treated with BM-MSCs and sacrificed at week 12 after treatment.Results: Our results showed that STZ-induced DN rats had extensive histopathological changes, significant upregulation in mRNA expression of renal apoptotic markers, ER stress markers, inflammatory markers, fibronectin, and intermediate filament proteins, and reduction of positive immunostaining of PCNA and elevated P53 in kidney tissue compared to the control group. BM-MSC therapy significantly improved renal histopathological changes, reduced renal apoptosis, ER stress, inflammation, and intermediate filament proteins, as well as increased positive immunostaining of PCNA and reduced P53 in renal tissue compared to the STZ-induced DN group.Conclusion: In conclusion, our study indicates that BM-MSCs may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of DN and provide important insights into their potential use as a novel therapeutic approach for DN

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Coronary bypass surgery in patients aged 70 years and over: Mortality, morbidity, & length of stay. Dar al-fouad experience

The objective of this investigation was to compare the outcome of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in patients 70 years with those <70. The cardiac surgery ICU database of the Institute was used to obtain the characteristics of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2001and March 2013. The patients were divided into those 70 years of age and those <70 years old. Euroscore was determined for each patient for the analysis of mortality, and length of stay. During the study period, 7225 cases of coronary artery bypass grafting were carried out (isolated or with valve surgery), 501 (14.4%) cases were performed in the older group. The 30-day mortality for patients aged 70 and over was 17 (3.3%) out of 501 while that of patients <70 years of age was 188 (2.6%) out of 7225. Apart from a higher incidence of wound infection in elderly patients, the frequency of other major complications was comparable in both groups. The average length of postoperative stay for the elderly patients was 15.4 ± 0.9 days compared to 13.7 ± 0.2 days for the younger group This study supports the continued performance of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients 70 years. Advanced age alone should not deter a cardiac surgeon from offering such a potentially beneficial intervention

Peri-procedural

Background: Management of carotid artery stenosis is considered an important strategy for stroke prevention. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been introduced as an acceptable alternative to surgical carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Objective: Assessment of peri-procedural outcome of CAS in 104 consecutive procedures. Methods: The study included 104 consecutive CAS procedures. Included patients had ⩾50% ICA stenosis in the symptomatic group and ⩾70% stenosis in the asymptomatic group. Procedures were performed in cath. labs of Catania and Ragusa hospitals-Italy. Results: Included procedures were done in 100 consecutive eligible patients with ICA stenosis. Four patients had undergone CAS procedures in both sides in 2 separate sessions. Patients were 71 males and 29 females, mean age was 71.9 ± 7.85 years, and 21 patients were ⩾80 years old (octogenarians). The majority of patients had asymptomatic ICA stenosis (76%) and was diagnosed accidentally during medical checkup. Twenty-four patients had symptomatic ICA stenosis (ipsilateral TIA or stroke). Technical success was obtained in 103 procedures (99%). Embolic protection devices were used in all succeeded cases. Combined cerebrovascular events had occurred in 5 patients with estimated rate = 4.8%. No cases of amaurosis fugax, MI or death had occurred. Adverse events was 4.1% in the symptomatic group and 1.3% in the asymptomatic group with no significant statistical difference (P = 0.064). Conclusion: CAS with EPDs seems a feasible and safe procedure and could be performed with an acceptable rate of periprocedural adverse events